Our Submission and Publication Management System

Our authors, reviewers, and editors benefit from an online submission and manuscript handling system, Editorial System. This system handles manuscript submission, review processes, pre- and post-publication checks, and editorial decision-making. The system's pre- and post-production functionalities ensure a smooth submission, review, and publication process.

Our online submission and publication handling system helps: 

1. Authors with fast and easy manuscript submission

2. Reviewers with easy login, scoring, and peer review processes

3. Editors with managing the manuscripts workflow, peer review processes, and the whole process of accepting submissions-reviewing articles and accepting manuscripts in the journal

Upon submission, receipt of a manuscript is acknowledged via an automated email from the online submission system. This email includes a manuscript tracking number, which should be provided in all correspondence with the editorial office regarding that manuscript. We kindly request that only the corresponding author contact the editorial office on behalf of all of the manuscript authors.

Editorial Freedom and Support

Within our journals, the Editors-in-Chief have full authority over their journal's editorial content and publication timing. The Editors-in-Chief are supported by expert international editorial boards comprised of individuals with relevant research, academic, and/or policy expertise. Together, they make decisions on the validity and integrity of the submitted manuscripts in light of the journal's aim and scope. The publisher and the publications team are not involved in the manuscript decision-making process.

The Editors-in-Chief and Editorial boards of our journals are supported by trained editorial assistants. Upon recruitment to their positions, editors are provided with documentation to support their activities, including their code of conduct, how to perform peer review, the confidentiality of information they may view, and how to handle suspected author misconduct.  

Provenance and peer review

All articles submitted to our journals undergo expert peer review. Peer review is double-blind in all of our journals, with the exception of Pneumon.

Every original article is peer-reviewed by at least two external experts and one editorial board member. In all cases, the manuscript is also reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief. Letters to the Editor and Editorials are peer-reviewed internally. All journal content is clearly marked as whether peer-reviewed or not (internally vs. externally peer-reviewed). All articles have a specific provenance and peer review tab (commissioned vs. non-commissioned).

Authors may suggest external reviewers who are qualified to peer review the manuscript, provided that they have not collaborated closely in the near past and that they are not from the same institution. Authors may also note peer reviewers who they would not prefer to review this paper. While the authors' suggestions are taken into account, the Editorial Office reserves the right to handle double-blind peer review at its discretion. Any manuscripts received for review will be treated as confidential documents.

External peer reviewers are requested to report on the ethical aspects of the manuscript they are assigned to review and on its novelty, impact, statistical analysis, references, and potential conflicts of interest. A specific peer review form is provided with closed- and open-ended questions to rate the manuscript and provide comments.

While we strive for a fast peer review process, a thorough peer review will always be preferred over a superficial review - even if this may delay the review process.