Editorial Process

Here is what happens to a manuscript at JDCS, from the moment it is submitted until well after it is published.

Step 1: Submission

Authors submit through the online system, following the Author Guidelines. The manuscript must include all required statements: conflict of interest, funding, data availability, an AI use declaration, and ethical approval and informed consent where people or animals were involved.

Step 2: Initial Evaluation

The Editor-in-Chief or a handling editor looks at originality, scientific soundness, language and fit with the Aims and Scope. Manuscripts that fall short are declined here.

Step 3: Plagiarism Screening

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

Step 4: Language Check

If the English needs work, we may return the manuscript for editing first, as described in English Language Editing.

Step 5: Peer Review

At least two independent reviewers assess the manuscript under double-blind review. See the Peer Review Policy and Peer Review Process.

Step 6: Decision

The Editor-in-Chief decides to accept, reject or ask for revision, guided by the reviewers' reports.

Step 7: Revision

Authors revise and reply point by point to each comment. This can take more than one round.

Step 8: Acceptance and APC

Once all scientific and editorial requirements are met, the manuscript is formally accepted and the Article Processing Charge, or an approved waiver, is confirmed.

Step 9: Copyediting and Proofs

We copyedit for grammar, punctuation and style, then send galley proofs to the corresponding author for approval.

Step 10: Publication

The article goes online under CC BY 4.0 with a DOI, free for anyone to read.

Step 11: After Publication

Published articles are preserved through the PKP Preservation Network. Errors or ethical concerns found later are handled under Corrections and Retractions and Misconduct and Sanctions.

Timeline

From submission to first decision usually takes 12–14 weeks.