Review Process

Peer Review Process of ICON PUBLISHERS

1. Manuscript Submission and Number Assignment
Once a manuscript is submitted to ICON PUBLISHERS, it is assigned a unique manuscript identification number. This number helps track the submission throughout the editorial and review process.

2. Initial Editorial Assessment
The manuscript undergoes an initial screening by the managing editors or executive editors. This preliminary evaluation checks the manuscript’s alignment with the journal’s scope, originality, ethical compliance (including plagiarism checks), and overall quality.

• Manuscripts that do not meet the journal’s standards or fall outside its scope are rejected at this stage. Common reasons for rejection include lack of originality, plagiarism, insufficient or flawed data, or irrelevance to the journal’s focus.

3. Peer Review Process
If the manuscript passes the initial assessment, it is sent out for peer review. Typically, two or more expert reviewers with relevant subject expertise are invited to evaluate the manuscript’s scientific validity, significance, methodology, clarity, and ethical standards.

• In some cases, the manuscript may be returned to the authors for preliminary corrections or improvements before being sent for external review.

4. Reviewer Reports and Feedback
Reviewers provide detailed comments and recommendations using a standardized review form provided by the editorial office. This form guides reviewers to assess key aspects such as originality, methodology, results, and presentation.

• Reviewers recommend one of the following: acceptance, minor revision, major revision, or rejection.

5. Editorial Decision
The editorial team carefully considers the reviewers’ reports and makes the final decision. The possible outcomes include:

• Acceptance: Manuscript meets all requirements and is ready for publication.
• Minor Revisions: Manuscript requires small changes, which the authors are asked to address.
• Major Revisions: Substantial modifications are needed before the manuscript can be reconsidered.
• Rejection: Manuscript is not suitable for publication due to fundamental issues.

6. Author Revisions and Re-submission
If revisions are requested, authors are given a reasonable time-frame to address reviewers’ and editors’ comments and resubmit the revised manuscript. The revised submission may undergo further evaluation by the original reviewers or editorial staff.

7. Timeliness and Transparency
ICON PUBLISHERS is committed to a prompt and transparent review process. We strive to complete the initial screening and peer review as quickly as possible to minimize delays for authors. Our goal is to provide constructive feedback and timely decisions, enabling authors to proceed with their research dissemination efficiently.