Peer Review Process

Every manuscript submitted to JCPL follows the same double-blind review path. This page walks through it step by step.

Step 1: Submission

Authors submit through the online system following the Author Guidelines, with identifying details kept in a separate file from the main manuscript so that review can be blind.

Step 2: Initial Evaluation

The Editor-in-Chief or a handling editor checks scope, originality and compliance with the guidelines. Manuscripts that don't meet these basics are declined before peer review.

Step 3: Plagiarism Screening

Manuscripts that pass are checked with iThenticate, under the Plagiarism Policy.

Step 4: Peer Review

At least two independent reviewers with relevant expertise assess the work, without knowing who wrote it. Editors may bring in further reviewers where needed.

Step 5: Revision

The reviewers' comments go to the corresponding author. If revision is needed, the author returns a revised manuscript with a point-by-point response. This may happen more than once.

Step 6: Final Decision

Reviewers advise, and the Editor-in-Chief decides whether to accept, reject or ask for further revision.

Step 7: Copyediting and Proofs

Accepted manuscripts are copyedited, and galley proofs are sent to the corresponding author for approval.

Step 8: Publication

The article is published online with a DOI under CC BY 4.0, free for everyone to read.

Timeline

Submission to first decision usually takes 12–14 weeks, depending on how much revision is needed.