1. Author Submits a Paper
2. In-House Editor Performs Checks
- Scope suitability
- Adherence to Editorial Policies (Ethics, Plagiarism,…)
If deemed suitable, you will be invited to Handle the Manuscript.
3. You Assess the Manuscript
For guidance on how to assess a Manuscript within the Editorial System, Snapp, please see the Snapp page on the ‘Assess suitability’ task.
You should assess the Manuscript according to the novelty and potential impact of the study. We consider Manuscripts that are of high specialist and/or broad general interest.
Please read our guide outlining the key things to look for when assessing Manuscripts.
What to do Next?
- If you think this Manuscript is suitable for Peer-Review, submit your recommendation to the In-House Editor and begin inviting Reviewers (3A)
- If you think this Manuscript is not suitable for Peer-Review, submit appropriate Recommendation and provide comments to the In-House Editor/authors (3B)
- Unsure how to proceed (3C)
Please return your Recommendation for each paper to the In-House Editor within 5 days of manuscript assignment.
3A. Pass the Suitability Assessment and Invite Reviewers
If you recommend peer review, then please pass the ‘Assess Suitability’ task and send a message with your rationale to the In-House Editor using the Discussion tool in Snapp, tagging the editor in the message by typing “@” and selecting their name. Please wait for the in-House Editors to respond before you start inviting Reviewers.
You can start inviting Reviewers once you have heard back from the in-House Editor via the Discussion tool.
For guidance on how to invite Reviewers in the Editorial System, please see the Snapp page on finding and inviting Reviewers.
Please also read our guide on our Reviewer criteria, how to find suitable Reviewers, and tools you can use to aid you in your search.
If you are struggling to find Reviewers, please contact a member of our in-House team.
3B. Recommending Pre-Review Rejection or Revision
If you recommend revise or reject/transfer before review, please select the revise or reject option and provide a brief explanation of your Decision.
Please note that all your Decisions will be returned to the In-House Editor for final check. If we agree with your recommendation we will inform the authors of our Decision. If there are any concerns with your recommendation, we will contact you.
For guidance on how to submit a Decision within the Editorial System, please see the Snapp page on making a Decision.
3C. Unsure
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to your In-House contact for advice, we're always happy to help.
4. You Make the Decision after Review
- Minor revisions (You will likely be able to check the revisions; suggest using rarely after the initial round of peer review)
- Major revisions (Will likely require re-review from the original reviewers; this should be used in the vast majority of cases after the initial round of peer review)
Please provide a short paragraph to go in the decision letter, explaining the decision and, if we are offering revision, anything in particular the authors should focus on
Please see our guidance on making Decisions. Please note that all your Decisions will be returned to the In-House Editor for final check. If we agree with your recommendation we will inform the authors of our Decision and copy you in. If there are any concerns with your recommendation, we will contact you.
5. Author Submits a Revised Manuscript
You will receive an email notifying you that this has been done.
6. You assess the Revised Manuscript
You will receive an email notifying you that a revised manuscript has been submitted.
Please see our guidance on handling Revised Submissions here.
7. You Make the Final Decision
Please note that all your Decisions will be returned to the In-House Editor for a final check. If we agree with your recommendation we will inform the authors of our Decision and copy you in. If there are any concerns with your recommendation, we will contact you.
8. In-House Editor Performs Standard Checks before Acceptance
These include:
- Formatting
- Confirmation of Authorship from all Authors
If all OK, the In-House Editor will proceed to Accept the paper.
