Peer Review Process

First: Stages and Steps of the Review Process

1) Manuscript Submission

The author must create a personal account on the journal’s website and upload the manuscript in Microsoft Word format through the online system or send it via the journal’s official email. Upon submission of the manuscript and entry of personal and academic information, the author receives an email confirming the receipt of the submission. The author is also required to sign an intellectual property declaration for the submitted work.

2) Acknowledgment of Receipt

Upon receiving the manuscript, the managing editor sends a confirmation message to the author within one business day, or within 48 hours at most.

3) Initial Screening

Manuscripts that fall outside the scope of the journal are returned to the author within three business days without proceeding to peer review.

4) Plagiarism Check

The Editor-in-Chief reviews all manuscripts to ensure they align with the journal’s scope. A plagiarism check is conducted using the Similarity Check tool by iThenticate. The similarity index is below 30% (including references), the manuscript is forwarded to an associate editor; otherwise, it is rejected immediately.

5) Review Assignment

The manuscript meets the journal’s stylistic and disciplinary requirements, it is sent to two or more independent reviewers selected from the journal’s reviewer database. The journal follows a double-blind peer review policy to maintain the anonymity of both authors and reviewers.

6) Review Timeline

Reviewers are granted a maximum period of two months to submit their evaluation report using the journal’s official review form, which covers criteria such as:

  • Importance and originality of the research
  • Appropriateness of the research approach and experimental design
  • Adequacy of methodologies
  • Quality and presentation of results
  • Depth and significance of the discussion
  • Validity of conclusions and interpretations
  • Clarity and organization of the manuscript
  • Language quality and accuracy

7) Report Submission

Once a reviewer submits their report, the Editor-in-Chief is automatically notified via the online system or email.

8) Tracking Manuscript Status

Authors can monitor the status of their manuscript through the journal’s electronic system, including whether it is under initial screening, review, revision, or scheduled for publication. They can also view the issue number in which the manuscript is expected to be published.

9) Review Outcomes

  • Rejection: The reviewers recommend rejecting the manuscript, the author is notified with a formal apology via the system and email.
  • Conditional Acceptance: The reviewers recommend acceptance with revisions, the author is requested to make the necessary changes and resubmit the manuscript through the system.
  • Final Acceptance: The reviewers recommend the manuscript for publication, the author is officially informed and provided with a certificate of acceptance.

10) Reviewer Acknowledgment: After receiving review reports, a thank-you message is sent to reviewers via email and the online system.

11) Publication Notification: Once the manuscript is published, the author receives an official notification via email confirming the publication in the journal.

Second: Reviewer Selection Criteria

  • The peer review and evaluation of research manuscripts submitted to the Journal of Marine Sciences and Environmental Technologies are carried out by a group of experts and specialists in the subject area of the submitted work. Therefore, all reviewers must meet the following criteria:
    • Objectivity, integrity, and honesty in the evaluation process.
    • Commitment to deadlines set by the journal’s editorial team for submitting the review results.
    • Expertise in the specific academic field relevant to the manuscript.
    • Must be a university member with experience in peer reviewing for academic journals and a track record of reviewing at least ten scientific papers.
    • Must be capable of providing feedback, opinions, and critiques in a precise and scholarly manner.
    • Must adhere to the journal’s confidentiality policy, and have a thorough understanding of peer review standards and procedures, as well as the journal’s specific requirements.
  • Those interested in joining the journal’s review board may complete the designated application form and submit it via the journal’s official email. Applicants will be notified of the acceptance or reasoned rejection of their application.

Third: Guidelines for Reviewers

We kindly advise all reviewers invited to evaluate scientific manuscripts to consider the following:

  • Accept only manuscripts that fall within your area of expertise and academic specialization.
  • Contacted by the editor and unsure about the subject matter, only accept the review if you are confident in your expertise on the specific topic.
  • Ensure that you have sufficient time to complete the review, which may typically take 1 to 2 days, depending on the type and quality of the manuscript.
  • There is any professional or personal relationship with the author, or any conflict of interest related to the manuscript, it is recommended that you decline the review invitation.
  • Maintain strict confidentiality throughout the process: the manuscript's content must not be shared with third parties or discussed outside the review framework.
  • Direct contact with the author is strictly prohibited during the review process.
  • The final review decision should be based on clear criteria, including the originality of the research, its structure, the quality of results, and any relevant ethical considerations.
  • Upon completion of the review, the reviewer must submit a detailed report (using the designated form), highlighting the key points and providing constructive comments that are free of any personal or inappropriate remarks.