Review process and editorial decision making

Publication in JICR is based on peer review process by reviewer. This process is essentially a quality control mechanism by which experts evaluate manuscripts, and its objective is to ensure a high quality of published science. However, peer reviewers do not make the decision to accept or reject papers. Decision-making authority rests solely with journal editors or the journal’s editorial board and editor is considered to be central to the decision making process.

All the manuscripts submitted to the JICR, goes under the initial checking process. During the initial screening, journal editors mainly check the following: 

1. Does the manuscript fit the Journal’s scope and aim and will be of interest to the readership?

2. Dose the manuscript fully represents the interdisciplinary nature of research in the field by focusing on the interaction among various disciplines

3. Is the manuscript of minimum acceptance quality and writing good enough to make it worth reviewing?

4. Is the manuscript compliant with the JICR’s instructions for authors?

Once a manuscript clears the above-mentioned initial screening, it is sent for double blind peer review in which names of reviewers and authors are not revealed to each other. A minimum of 2 peer reviewers (up to 4) are chosen for the peer review. Peer reviewers are ideally experts in their field.

The peer review is completed once all the reviewers send the journal a detailed report with their comments on the manuscript and their recommendation.

Editorial board considers the feedback provided by the peer reviewers and arrives at a decision. The following decisions may be made in JICR:

1. Accept without any changes

2. Accept with minor revisions

3. Accept after major revisions (conditional acceptance)

4. Revise and resubmit: The revised paper will be considered in another round of decision making.

5. Reject the paper: JICR will not publish the paper or reconsider it even if the authors make major revisions. Because the paper will not meet its publication standards or interests even after heavy revisions.