Double-blind Peer Review Process

Double-blind Peer Review Process

The Ethiopian Journal of Public Health and Nutrition (EJPHN) employs a double-blind peer review system to ensure fairness, objectivity, and academic integrity in the evaluation of submitted manuscripts. This process is designed to uphold the highest standards of scholarly publishing and to protect both authors and reviewers from bias.

Definition of Double-blind Review In a double-blind peer review, neither the authors nor the reviewers are aware of each other’s identities. Author names, affiliations, and any identifying information are removed from the manuscript before it is sent to reviewers. Similarly, reviewers remain anonymous to the authors. This mutual anonymity helps to eliminate potential conflicts of interest and ensures that manuscripts are judged solely on their scientific merit.

Steps in the Review Process

  1. Initial Screening: Upon submission, manuscripts are first screened by the editorial office to ensure compliance with submission guidelines, formatting requirements, and ethical standards.

  2. Assignment to Editors: Suitable manuscripts are assigned to an associate editor or section editor with expertise in the subject area.

  3. Reviewer Selection: The editor selects at least two independent reviewers who are specialists in the relevant field. Reviewers are chosen based on their expertise, impartiality, and availability.

  4. Review Phase: Reviewers critically evaluate the manuscript for originality, methodological rigor, clarity of presentation, ethical compliance, and contribution to the field. They provide detailed comments and recommendations for acceptance, revision, or rejection.

  5. Editorial Decision: Based on the reviewers’ feedback, the editor makes a decision. Authors may be asked to revise their manuscript to address reviewers’ comments.

  6. Revision and Resubmission: Authors submit a revised manuscript along with a response letter detailing how each comment was addressed.

  7. Final Evaluation: The revised manuscript may be sent back to reviewers or assessed directly by the editor. A final decision is then communicated to the authors.

  8. Publication: Accepted manuscripts proceed to copyediting, typesetting, and eventual publication in the journal.

Principles of the Double-blind System

  • Impartiality: By concealing identities, the process minimizes bias related to gender, nationality, institutional affiliation, or academic reputation.

  • Confidentiality: All manuscripts and reviewer reports are treated as confidential documents.

  • Constructive Feedback: Reviewers are expected to provide objective, respectful, and constructive comments that help authors improve their work.

  • Ethical Responsibility: Reviewers must disclose any conflicts of interest and decline assignments where impartiality cannot be guaranteed.

Benefits of Double-blind Review

  • Promotes fairness and equality in scholarly publishing.

  • Encourages honest and unbiased critique.

  • Enhances the credibility and trustworthiness of published articles.

  • Protects both authors and reviewers from undue influence or pressure.