Publication procedure

Overview

Every manuscript, whatever its type, goes through the same seven stages. You'll hear from us at each one, so you never have to wonder where your paper is.

First decision

Usually 4–6 weeks

Submission to publication

Usually 6–10 weeks

Review type

Double-blind, at least two reviewers

Cost to authors

None

Stage by stage

1. You send your paper

   Use the submission form, or email editor@cijar.org if the form doesn't work for you. Your submission needs:

   • an anonymised manuscript prepared to the submission guidelines;
   • an abstract of 150–250 words and 3–6 keywords;
   • every author's name, affiliation and email, entered in the form (or on a separate title page if you submit by email);
   • the signed author undertaking and a similarity report.

   We reply with an acknowledgement and a tracking code.

2. The editors take a first look

   Within a few working days, an editor checks that the paper is in scope, complete, properly formatted and anonymised, and that it passes the Turnitin check under our integrity policy. Ethics approvals and any AI use must be declared. Papers that fall short are returned with reasons, either for correction or as a decline.

3. Experts review it

   At least two reviewers assess the paper independently and without knowing who wrote it. They report on its originality, method, evidence and clarity, and recommend accept, minor revisions, major revisions or reject. Reviewers usually have 2–3 weeks. Details are in our peer review policy.

4. You revise

   If changes are requested, you'll get the reviewers' comments and a deadline, usually 2–4 weeks. Send back the revised paper with a response letter that takes each comment in turn, saying what you changed or why you disagree. Major revisions normally go back to the reviewers.

5. The editor decides

   The editor weighs the reviews and your revisions, then tells you whether the paper is accepted, accepted subject to small final changes, or rejected. Every decision comes with reasons. Accepted authors receive an acceptance letter, and rejected authors can appeal.

6. We prepare it for publication

   We copy-edit the paper for language, style and references, lay it out, and send you a proof to check. Once you approve it, the article gets its volume, issue and page numbers, and a DOI where available. It's then published in the current or next quarterly issue, free to read under CC BY 4.0.

7. Your article lives on

   Each author receives a certificate of publication, which anyone can confirm on the verify a certificate page. The article stays permanently in our archive, and you're free to post it in repositories and on academic networks with a citation to CIJAR.

How long it takes

These are typical times, not guarantees. Papers that need a second round of review, and slow replies to editors' emails, take longer.

Following your paper

Enter your tracking code on the track your paper page at any time. You'll see one of these statuses: submitted, under review, revision requested, accepted, published or rejected.

Before submitting, it helps to read the submission guidelines and author responsibilities.