The Purpose of Peer Review
Peer review is a critical part of scholarly publications as it ensures that published research is sound, credible, authentic and improves the quality of the research. Reviewers for SustainE are selected based on their expertise and knowledge of their respective fields. The journal utilizes a single-blind model during the review process. As such, the reviewers know who the author is in order to provide a complete assessment within the context of their research and ensure they avoid any potential competing interests in accepting a review invitation.
Our journal promotes transparency and ensures no discrimination during the peer review process. Upon publication, we disclose the names of all endorsing reviewers for every article we publish.
Before agreeing to review
Our reviewers are encouraged to submit their comments within a month of accepting the invitation to review a paper. Extensions can be granted in extreme cases. On occasions where the reviewer does not have time to review the paper, they shall inform the editorial office and may or may not offer suggestions for alternative reviewers.
The reviewer’s responsibility is to offer critical and constructive judgment of a manuscript’s content. Conflicts of interests may arise due to factors such as:
- Family relations
- People at your current institution
- Your Ph.D. student or Ph.D. advisor
- People whose research you fund or who fund your own.
- Collaborations in the past two years.
Reviewing a paper
The reviewer shall remain objective in their critical appraisal. The comments shall be professional and courteous and help the author improve their paper and present their research clearly and concisely. In case of any issues regarding authenticity and originality, the reviewer shall inform the editorial office.
Structuring Your Review
The review shall inform the editor’s decision on whether or not to publish the article. As such, the reviewer’s overall observation and opinion on the paper are pertinent and fundamental. The comments shall be courteous and constructive and provide insight into any deficiencies.
The reviewer shall consider the categories the editor will likely use for classifying the article when making recommendations:
- The reviewer shall consider the language utilized in the paper. If a paper does not use correct English and has numerous grammatical errors that make it difficult to understand, the reviewer shall comment on it in their report.
- The reviewer shall consider the structure of the paper (abstract, introduction, method, results, conclusion, and recommendation).
- The reviewer shall consider the originality, authenticity, and quality of the research paper.
- In case the manuscript is on an experiment, the reviewer shall check the methods section for:
- Unsound methodology
- Discredited method
- Missing processes are known to be influential on the research topic
- Whether a conclusion was drawn in contradiction to the statistical or qualitative evidence reported in the manuscript.
- The reviewer shall make ethical considerations and adequately document any experiments that include patient or animal data.
- The reviewer shall examine any data in the form of figures, tables, or images.
- The reviewer shall consider whether the research paper engages with previous research and results.
- The reviewer shall ensure that the paper utilizes a systematic data analysis and examination in its presentation for qualitative research.
- For analytical papers, the reviewer shall examine the sampling report.
- Reject (explain your reasoning in the report)
- Accept
- Revise (Explain the revision that is required)
The editor has the final decision to accept or reject the article. SustainE does not take part in this decision.
After you Review
After the review, the reviewer shall utilize the SustainE platform to ensure they receive credit and recognition for their work by being published on the article. The reviewer’s name shall not be included in the manuscript if they recommend that the manuscript should be rejected.
All articles and data utilized in the review process shall be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
Finally, we appreciate you sincerely on behalf of the SustainE community for the time you have taken to give your valuable input to the article.
Submitting your Report
Please submit your report through the SustainE Journal online submission system. If you need any help, contact the editorial office.