All manuscripts submitted to ASPG journals undergo a structured and rigorous peer-review process designed to ensure the quality, originality, and relevance of published research.
1. Initial Editorial Assessment
Upon submission, manuscripts are evaluated by the editorial office to ensure compliance with the journal’s scope and basic submission requirements. The Editor-in-Chief (or a designated editor) conducts an initial screening to assess the scientific quality, originality, and suitability of the manuscript.
Manuscripts may also be screened for similarity to detect potential plagiarism or overlap with previously published work.
2. Peer Review
Manuscripts that pass the initial screening are assigned to qualified independent reviewers with relevant expertise. ASPG journals apply a single-blind peer-review process, where the identities of reviewers are not disclosed to authors.
Reviewers evaluate manuscripts based on:
Confidentiality and Objectivity
Reviewers must treat all manuscripts as confidential documents and must not use or disclose any information obtained during the review process.
Conflict of Interest
Reviewers and editors must declare any conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where such conflicts exist.
3. Editorial Decision
Based on the reviewers’ reports, the editor makes one of the following decisions:
Additional reviewers may be invited if further evaluation is required.
4. Revision Process
If revisions are requested, authors are required to submit a revised manuscript within the specified timeframe. Revised submissions may be returned to the original reviewers for further evaluation.
Authors are expected to provide a clear response to reviewers’ comments.
5. Final Decision and Publication
Once a manuscript is accepted, it proceeds to editorial processing and production. Accepted articles are professionally edited, formatted, and prepared for publication.
6. Transparency and Timeliness
ASPG is committed to ensuring a fair and timely review process. While review timelines may vary depending on the manuscript and reviewer availability, the editorial office strives to minimize delays and maintain efficient communication with authors.
7. Appeals and Complaints
Authors who wish to appeal an editorial decision or raise concerns about the review process may contact the editorial office. All appeals and complaints are handled in accordance with the publisher’s established procedures.
8. General Conditions
9. Copyright
Upon acceptance, authors agree to the journal’s copyright and licensing policies. Details are provided in the Copyright and Licensing Policy.