Education in the 21st Century employs a rigorous double-blind peer review model. This means that the identities of both the authors and the reviewers are kept confidential throughout the entire review process. This approach ensures objectivity and eliminates any potential bias based on the authors' identity, institutional affiliation, or geographical location.
Review Process Stages
- Technical Screening: Upon submission, all manuscripts are screened by the Technical Editor for adherence to the journal’s guidelines and ethical standards. At this stage, manuscripts are checked for originality using specialized plagiarism detection software.
- Initial Editorial Assessment: The Editor-in-Chief evaluates whether the manuscript aligns with the journal’s Aims and Scope and meets the basic scientific quality threshold. Manuscripts that are outside the journal's scope or lack scientific merit may be rejected at this stage without external review.
- External Peer Review: Manuscripts that pass the initial screening are sent to at least two independent expert reviewers. Reviewers are selected based on their specific expertise in the subject area. They are required to adhere to the COPE Ethical Guidelines for Peer Reviewers.
- Editorial Decision: Based on the reviewers' recommendations, the Editor-in-Chief makes one of the following decisions:
- Accept: The manuscript is accepted in its current form.
- Minor Revision: The manuscript requires minor technical, stylistic, or clarifying changes.
- Major Revision: The manuscript requires significant rewriting, additional data analysis, or restructuring. The revised manuscript will likely undergo a second round of review.
- Reject: The manuscript is not suitable for publication in the journal.
- Final Approval: The final decision regarding publication remains with the Editor-in-Chief. Authors are notified of the outcome via email, accompanied by the reviewers' feedback.
Duration of the Review Process The journal aims to provide authors with an efficient and transparent review process. Typical timelines are as follows:
- Initial Screening: 1–2 weeks from submission.
- Peer Review: 4–6 weeks for the first round.
- Final Decision: Approximately 3–4 months from submission to final notification (depending on revision rounds).
Confidentiality and Objectivity
Reviewers are required to treat manuscripts as confidential documents. They must disclose any potential conflicts of interest before agreeing to review. The review process is conducted through a professional and constructive dialogue aimed at improving the scientific quality of the work.