The peer review process involves submitting research papers to experts in the relevant field who evaluate their quality, accuracy, and originality. While primarily associated with scientific journals, this process is also applied in reviewing grant proposals, conference papers, and academic textbooks.

Peer review is essential because research often builds upon earlier findings. If a study is found to be inaccurate, flawed, or fraudulent, it undermines the reliability of subsequent work that relies on it. Therefore, peer review is critical for maintaining the integrity and credibility of academic and scientific research.

Steps in the Peer Review Process

Although the exact procedures may vary among journals or grant applications, most follow a similar structure:

1. Initial Screening by the Editor: The editor examines all submitted papers and filters out those of poor quality to ensure that only work meeting basic standards is sent for peer review.
2. Review by Subject Experts: The selected papers are assigned to referees, usually two experts in the field, who assess their quality, relevance, and contribution to the domain.
3. Review Outcomes: Referees can recommend:
   • Accepting the paper as it is.
   • Rejecting it outright.
   • Suggesting revisions before reconsideration.
   Most submissions require some level of revision before acceptance.
4. Editor’s Role in Final Decision: The editor, drawing on their expertise, compiles feedback from reviewers and returns the paper to the author for revisions. Once the revised manuscript is submitted, the editor typically decides its fate without sending it back to the reviewers.

Referees serve in an advisory capacity, and their identities remain confidential. To maintain impartiality, referees do not communicate with each other. In cases of disagreement among referees, the editor resolves the issue, occasionally involving an additional reviewer for high-profile submissions.

Author Appeals

Authors have the right to appeal a rejection decision. For formal appeals, the rejected manuscript and related details, including referee comments, are reviewed by a member of the Editorial Board. This Board member may independently evaluate the case or seek additional expert opinions. Their findings are communicated to both the editors and the authors, providing a resolution along with the Board member's name.