Peer Review Process

 

All manuscripts submitted to "Research Focus" International Scientific Journal undergo independent peer review before any publication decision is made.

Review model: Double-blind peer review. The identities of the authors are not disclosed to the reviewers, and the identities of the reviewers are not disclosed to the authors, ensuring an objective, fair, and unbiased evaluation.

Stages of the Peer Review Process

1. Initial Editorial Screening (3–5 working days)

The Editorial Office verifies that the manuscript:

  • Falls within the journal's aims and scope;

  • Complies with the journal's formatting and submission requirements;

  • Contains all required files and information.

Every submitted manuscript is screened for plagiarism at this stage. Manuscripts that do not satisfy the journal's basic requirements are returned to the author without external peer review.

2. Assignment of Reviewers (5–7 working days)

The Editor appoints at least two independent reviewers who are specialists in the relevant scientific field.

  • Reviewers are selected from the journal's reviewer database and external experts.

  • Reviewers with any conflict of interest concerning the authors, their institutions, or the subject matter are not assigned to evaluate the manuscript.

3. Peer Review (14–21 working days)

Reviewers evaluate the manuscript according to the following criteria:

  • Scientific originality and contribution to the field

  • Appropriateness and reliability of the research methodology

  • Validity of the results and conclusions

  • Clarity, organization, and logical presentation

  • Adequacy, relevance, and currency of the references

  • Compliance with research integrity and publication ethics

Each reviewer submits a written evaluation report with one of the following recommendations:

  • Accept without revision

  • Accept with minor revisions

  • Major revisions required

  • Reject

4. Editorial Decision

The Editor makes the final publication decision based on the reviewers' reports.

  • If reviewers provide substantially different recommendations, a third independent reviewer is appointed.

  • The corresponding author receives the editorial decision together with the anonymous reviewer comments.

5. Revision and Re-review

When revisions are requested:

  • Authors must submit a revised manuscript together with a detailed point-by-point response to every reviewer comment.

  • Manuscripts requiring major revisions are normally sent for a second round of peer review.

6. Acceptance and Publication

After acceptance, manuscripts undergo:

  • Copy-editing

  • Proofreading

  • Typesetting

Each published article:

  • Receives a DOI through Crossref;

  • Is published in the next available monthly issue of the journal.

Review Timelines

  • Average time from submission to the first editorial decision: 3–4 weeks

  • Average time from acceptance to publication: within the next monthly issue

Appeals

Authors who wish to appeal an editorial decision may submit a written appeal to the Editorial Office explaining the grounds for the appeal.

All appeals are reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief, who may consult additional independent reviewers before making a final decision.

Responsibilities of Reviewers

Reviewers are expected to maintain the highest standards of confidentiality, integrity, and professionalism throughout the peer review process.

Reviewers must:

  • Treat every manuscript as a strictly confidential document;

  • Not share or discuss the manuscript with any third party;

  • Not use unpublished information or data contained in the manuscript for personal research or benefit;

  • Conduct the review objectively, fairly, and without bias;

  • Support all recommendations with clear, evidence-based arguments;

  • Avoid personal criticism of the authors;

  • Inform the Editor of any substantial similarity or overlap with previously published work;

  • Identify important published literature that has not been cited by the authors;

  • Decline the review invitation whenever a conflict of interest exists.