Establishing a robust peer review process for a Master's level journal involves several key steps to ensure quality and rigor in the evaluation of submitted manuscripts. Here's a detailed process:

1. Submission:

  • Authors submit their manuscripts through an online submission system.
  • They must adhere to the journal's guidelines regarding formatting, structure, and scope.

2. Initial Screening:

  • The editorial team performs an initial assessment to ensure submissions meet the basic criteria, such as relevance to the journal's scope and adherence to formatting guidelines.
  • Manuscripts that do not meet these criteria are desk rejected.

3. Assignment to Reviewers:

  • The editor-in-chief or handling editor assigns submissions to peer reviewers based on their expertise and the subject matter of the manuscript.
  • Reviewers are typically Master's level academics or professionals with relevant experience in the field.

4. Peer Review:

  • Reviewers evaluate the manuscript's quality, originality, significance, methodology, clarity, and adherence to ethical standards.
  • They provide detailed comments, suggestions for improvement, and a recommendation for acceptance, revision, or rejection.
  • Reviewers are required to maintain confidentiality and disclose any conflicts of interest.

5. Editor's Decision:

  • The editor-in-chief or handling editor considers the reviewers' comments and recommendations.
  • Based on the reviews, the editor makes a decision on whether to accept, reject, or request revisions to the manuscript.
  • Authors are informed of the decision along with reviewers' comments to guide revisions if necessary.

6. Revision (if applicable):

  • If revisions are requested, authors are given a reasonable timeframe to address reviewers' concerns and improve their manuscript.
  • Revised manuscripts are re-evaluated by the original reviewers or new reviewers to ensure that concerns have been adequately addressed.

7. Final Decision:

  • The editor makes a final decision based on the revised manuscript and reviewer feedback.
  • Accepted manuscripts move to the production stage for formatting, proofreading, and publication.

8. Publication:

  • Once the manuscript is finalized, it is published online and possibly in print, depending on the journal's format.
  • Authors are provided with a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) for their published work.

9. Post-Publication:

  • Journals may offer post-publication peer review, allowing readers to comment on published articles and engage in scholarly discussion.
  • Corrections and retractions are issued if errors or ethical issues are identified after publication.

Quality Assurance:

  • The journal periodically evaluates its peer review process to ensure effectiveness and fairness.
  • Editors and reviewers undergo training on peer review best practices and ethical standards.
  • Feedback from authors, reviewers, and readers is solicited to identify areas for improvement.

By following this peer review process, Master's level journals can maintain high standards of quality and contribute valuable knowledge to their respective fields.