Overview
Keith Publications employs rigorous peer review to ensure published research meets high standards of scientific quality, methodological soundness, and ethical conduct.
Our Commitment: We follow COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines and strive for transparent, fair, and constructive peer review.
Peer Review Principles
- Quality: Ensure scientific and methodological rigor
- Fairness: Impartial evaluation regardless of author identity
- Confidentiality: Protect unpublished manuscripts
- Timeliness: Provide timely decisions to authors
- Constructiveness: Offer helpful feedback for improvement
- Transparency: Clear processes and criteria
Peer Review Models
Double-Blind
Standard model for most submissions. Reviewers and authors are anonymous to each other.
Single-Blind
Used for some article types. Reviewers know authors' identities, but not vice versa.
Open Peer Review
Optional model. Reviewers' names are published with the article upon their consent.
Review Model by Article Type
| Article Type | Review Model | Reviewers |
|---|---|---|
| Research Article | Double-Blind | 2–3 |
| Review Article | Single-Blind | 1–2 |
| Short Communication | Double-Blind | 2 |
| Case Report | Double-Blind | 2 |
Peer Review Process
Editorial staff check for completeness, formatting, and scope. Manuscripts not meeting basic requirements are returned without review.
Associate Editor evaluates scientific quality, novelty, and suitability. May reject without review if not meeting journal standards.
Editor identifies 2–3 suitable reviewers based on expertise, availability, and absence of conflicts of interest.
Reviewers submit reports within 3–4 weeks, evaluating scientific quality, methodology, and significance.
Editor considers reviews and makes decision: Accept, Minor Revision, Major Revision, or Reject.
Authors revise addressing reviewers' comments. Revised manuscript may be re-reviewed. Editor makes final acceptance decision.
Time to First Decision
- Target: 4–6 weeks from submission
- Rejection without review: 1–2 weeks
- With revisions: Additional 2–4 weeks after resubmission
Reviewer Selection Criteria
Essential Criteria
- PhD or equivalent research experience
- Publication record in relevant field
- No conflicts of interest with authors
- Willingness to review within timeframe
Conflict of Interest
Reviewers must decline if they have recent collaboration (past 3 years), personal relationships, financial interest, or institutional affiliation with authors.
Review Criteria
Scientific Quality (40%)
- Originality and novelty
- Scientific rigor and validity
- Appropriate methodology and statistical analysis
- Sound conclusions supported by data
Significance and Impact (30%)
- Importance to the field and relevance to journal scope
- Potential for advancing knowledge
Presentation and Ethics (30%)
- Clear and logical organization; appropriate language
- Proper citations, no plagiarism, appropriate ethics approval
- Data availability and conflict of interest disclosure
Ethics and Integrity
COPE Compliance
We follow COPE guidelines for handling allegations of misconduct, managing conflicts of interest, ensuring confidentiality, and dealing with complaints and appeals.
Ethical Issues Reviewers Should Report
- Suspected plagiarism or text recycling
- Data fabrication or falsification
- Image manipulation beyond acceptable limits
- Unethical research involving humans or animals
- Duplicate publication or redundancy
Appeal Process
Authors may appeal editorial decisions if they believe there was a procedural error, misinterpretation, or the reviewer was unqualified. Submit an appeal letter within 30 days of decision, addressing specific concerns point-by-point.
Note: Appeals based solely on disagreement with reviewer opinions are not considered.
Reviewer Recognition
- Certificate of Review: Annual certificate for contributions
- Public Acknowledgement: List of reviewers published annually
- Reviewer of the Year: Annual award for exceptional reviewers
- Publons Integration: Automatic verification of reviews
- APC Discounts: Discount on APCs for future submissions
Contact
For questions about our peer review policy:
Editorial Office — Keith Publications
Email: [email protected]