Peer Review Process

ISRE follows a single-blind peer review process, where reviewer identities remain confidential, while authors’ identities are disclosed to reviewers. The journal adheres to internationally recognized guidelines, including those of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE).

Process Overview

1. Initial Editorial Screening: All manuscripts are reviewed by the Editorial Office and Section Editors to ensure alignment with ISRE’s aims, ethical compliance, and formatting standards.
2. Reviewer Assignment: Submissions meeting these criteria are forwarded to at least three independent expert reviewers, selected through the journal’s Reviewer Database and, where applicable, Web of Science Reviewer Locator or Publons Reviewer Connect.
3. Evaluation Criteria: Reviewers assess manuscripts based on originality, methodological rigor, statistical soundness, ethical standards, and significance to the discipline.
4. Decision Process: Editorial decisions—acceptance, revision, or rejection—are made by the Editor-in-Chief or Section Editor, based on a majority consensus among reviewers and editorial evaluation.
5. Revision Timeline: Authors typically receive four weeks to revise their manuscripts and resubmit according to reviewer feedback.
6. Ethical Compliance (Medical, Human & Animal Studies):
   • Research involving humans must include statements of informed consent and approval from an accredited Ethics Committee or IRB.
   • Studies involving animals must comply with ARRIVE and OECD research ethics protocols.
   • Clinical trials must be registered in recognized databases such as ClinicalTrials.gov.

Editorial Review Model (Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Disciplines)

In line with DOAJ and COPE standards for interpretive and creative disciplines, ISRE uses an editorial review model for submissions in Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, where research may emphasize conceptual or qualitative methodologies.

Editorial Review Process

• Each manuscript is independently evaluated by two or more qualified editors with domain expertise.
• Evaluation focuses on originality, theoretical contribution, ethical considerations, and relevance to the journal’s interdisciplinary mission.
• Decisions are made collectively and transparently, ensuring inclusivity and fairness in editorial judgment.

Integrity, Ethics, and Quality Assurance

• All manuscripts are screened using plagiarism detection software such as Turnitin or iThenticate.
• Authors, editors, and reviewers must declare all potential conflicts of interest.
• The Editorial Board reserves the right to reject, retract, or correct articles that violate ethical or methodological standards.
• ISRE fully supports open data, reproducibility, and responsible research conduct across all disciplines.

Final Editorial Decision

The Editor-in-Chief, in consultation with relevant Section Editors and reviewers, holds the final authority to accept, revise, or reject manuscripts. Accepted papers undergo professional copyediting, typesetting, and final proof approval before publication.