Peer Review Policy
Trends in Computer Sciences and Information Technology (TCSIT) follows a rigorous and transparent peer-review process to ensure the quality, credibility, and integrity of published research. The journal employs a **double-blind peer-review** system, where both the authors and reviewers remain anonymous throughout the review process.
▪ Peer-Review Process
The peer-review process at TCSIT consists of the following stages:
- Initial Submission Check: The editorial office performs a preliminary assessment to verify manuscript originality, relevance, formatting, and adherence to ethical guidelines.
- Assignment to Reviewers: Suitable experts in the field are selected to evaluate the manuscript based on their expertise.
- Double-Blind Review: Reviewers assess the manuscript without knowledge of the authors' identities, ensuring unbiased and fair evaluation.
- Reviewer Feedback: Reviewers provide constructive comments, suggestions, and recommendations (accept, revise, or reject).
- Editorial Decision: Based on reviewer feedback, the editor makes a final decision on acceptance, revision, or rejection.
- Revisions and Final Acceptance: Authors are required to address reviewers' comments before the manuscript is accepted for publication.
▪ Criteria for Manuscript Evaluation
Reviewers assess submitted manuscripts based on the following key aspects:
- Originality and Novelty: The research must contribute new insights or advancements in the field.
- Scientific Rigor: The study must be methodologically sound, with appropriate data analysis and conclusions.
- Relevance and Significance: The manuscript must align with the journal’s scope and have academic or practical significance.
- Clarity and Organization: The manuscript should be well-structured, with clear arguments and logical presentation.
- References and Citations: Proper citation of relevant literature and acknowledgment of sources are required.
▪ Responsibilities of Peer Reviewers
Reviewers play a critical role in maintaining the journal’s quality and integrity. Reviewers are expected to:
- Provide Objective and Constructive Feedback: Reviews should be fair, unbiased, and focused on improving the manuscript.
- Ensure Confidentiality: Manuscripts must be treated as confidential documents and not shared with others.
- Identify Ethical Concerns: Any suspected plagiarism, falsified data, or ethical issues must be reported to the editorial office.
- Disclose Conflicts of Interest: If a reviewer has any personal, professional, or financial conflicts, they should inform the editorial team and decline the review.
- Adhere to Deadlines: Reviewers should complete their evaluations within the assigned time to ensure timely publication.
▪ Editorial Responsibilities in Peer Review
Editors oversee the peer-review process to ensure fairness and transparency. Editorial responsibilities include:
- Ensuring a Fair Review Process: Manuscripts are assigned to qualified reviewers without bias.
- Maintaining Confidentiality: Editors must not disclose any information about submitted manuscripts to unauthorized individuals.
- Handling Ethical Issues: In cases of ethical concerns, the editorial board will investigate and take necessary actions.
- Final Decision-Making: The editorial team makes the final decision based on reviewer recommendations and journal policies.
▪ Peer-Review Timeline
The peer-review process at TCSIT typically follows this timeline:
- Initial Editorial Screening: 1-2 weeks
- Reviewer Assignment: 1 week
- Review Process: 3-6 weeks
- Author Revisions (if required): 2-4 weeks
- Final Decision and Acceptance: 1-2 weeks
*The timeline may vary depending on reviewer availability and the complexity of revisions.
▪ Appeals and Disputes
If an author disagrees with a review decision, they may appeal by providing a detailed response addressing reviewer comments. The editorial board will re-evaluate the manuscript and may invite additional reviewers if necessary. The final decision of the editorial board is binding.
▪ Ethical Guidelines for Peer Review
TCSIT adheres to globally recognized ethical standards for peer review. The journal follows guidelines set by:
- Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) for handling ethical concerns in peer review.
- International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) for best practices in peer review and editorial decision-making.
Committed to a Rigorous and Ethical Peer-Review Process!