Peer Review Policy
GIR-Press is committed to rigorous, fair, and timely peer review for all submitted manuscripts.
Last updated: January 1, 2025
Overview
Global Innovative Research Press (GIR-Press) applies a rigorous peer review process to all submitted manuscripts. Our system ensures that published research meets the highest standards of scientific quality, originality, and ethical integrity. All GIR-Press journals employ double-blind peer review, where neither the authors nor the reviewers know each other's identities.
Types of Peer Review
GIR-Press journals employ double-blind peer review as the standard model. In this system:
- The identities of authors are concealed from reviewers throughout the review process.
- The identities of reviewers are concealed from authors throughout the review process.
- This minimises potential bias based on reputation, nationality, or institutional affiliation.
Review Process Steps
1. Initial Editorial Screening
Upon submission, manuscripts undergo an initial assessment by the Editor-in-Chief or handling editor within 5 business days. This screening checks for:
- Alignment with the journal scope and aims
- Minimum quality threshold and scientific soundness
- Plagiarism screening via iThenticate (similarity threshold: <15%)
- Completeness of submission including cover letter, author details, and declarations
2. Reviewer Selection
Manuscripts passing initial screening are assigned to a minimum of two independent peer reviewers with relevant domain expertise. Reviewers must:
- Declare any conflicts of interest before accepting
- Maintain strict confidentiality of the manuscript
- Complete the review within the stipulated timeframe (3–4 weeks)
3. Peer Review Assessment
Reviewers evaluate manuscripts on:
- Originality and novelty — Does the work make a new contribution?
- Scientific rigour — Are the methodology, data, and conclusions sound?
- Clarity and presentation — Is the manuscript well-written and structured?
- Ethical compliance — Are required ethical approvals obtained?
- References — Are sources adequate, current, and properly cited?
4. Editorial Decision
Based on reviewer recommendations, the editor makes one of the following decisions:
- Accept — Accepted for publication as submitted or with minor corrections.
- Minor Revision — Minor revisions required; resubmit within 2 weeks.
- Major Revision — Significant changes required; revised manuscript undergoes re-review.
- Reject — Manuscript does not meet the journal's publication standards.
Timeline
- Initial screening: 5–7 business days
- Peer review: 3–6 weeks
- Editorial decision: 1–2 weeks post-review
- Total turnaround (first decision): 4–8 weeks
- Online publication after acceptance: 2–4 weeks
Reviewer Responsibilities
GIR-Press reviewers are expected to:
- Provide objective, constructive, and substantiated feedback
- Identify potential ethical issues including plagiarism or data fabrication
- Decline reviews where a conflict of interest exists
- Maintain confidentiality of the manuscript at all times
- Complete reviews within the agreed timeframe or promptly notify the editor
Appeals Process
Authors who believe their manuscript was rejected in error may submit a formal appeal to the Editor-in-Chief at editor@girpress.com within 30 days of the rejection notice. Appeals must include a detailed point-by-point rebuttal of reviewer comments. The Editor-in-Chief's decision on appeals is final.
Contact
For peer review queries, contact the Editorial Office at editor@girpress.com.