What is Peer Review?

Peer review is the process by which independent and unbiased experts evaluate scholarly manuscripts to help determine whether they are suitable for publication. When a manuscript is submitted for publication, the editor of the journal or book series sends it to be evaluated by an expert in the relevant field. The reviewer checks the submission for originality, coherence, contribution to the field, and alignment with journal (or book series) scope. The reviewer offers a summary of their assessment to the editor and author, identifying potential concerns and providing constructive suggestions for improvement where necessary.

How long does it take?

Typically, the peer review cycle takes approximately two months as the reviewer submits their recommendations, comments, and suggestions, and the paper is sent back to the author to make those changes. For this reason, editors often look for reviewers who are able to dedicate a portion of their time for this task and who can deliver their reports on time.