Policies

Peer Review and Editorial Decision Policy

How double-blind review works and who decides what.

Official policy. Adopted text confirmed by the journal editor.

Purpose and scope

This policy applies to manuscript assessment in JHSS and JERS. Both journals use double-blind peer review: author and reviewer identities are concealed for impartial evaluation.

Review stages

Initial editorial screening against aims, scope and requirements.
Plagiarism and ethical checks.
Anonymous evaluation by qualified subject experts.
Editorial decision: accept, revise or reject.
Possible re-evaluation after revision before a final decision.

Recommendations versus decisions

Reviewers recommend; editors decide. Reviewer reports advise the editorial decision but do not determine it. Decisions are taken solely on scholarly merit — see the Editorial Board Policy for decision authority by role and the Peer Reviewer Guidelines for reviewer conduct.

Timelines

Typical time to first decision for JHSS is 6–10 weeks, as stated on the journal pages. JERS timelines will be stated here only once confirmed by the editor — this policy states none.

Policy status

Status: Official policy. Reviewed and authorised for publication by the journal editor. No approval date, registration status, ISSN or accreditation is claimed beyond what is stated here.