Peer Review Process

All manuscripts submitted to JACOBS undergo a double-blind peer review: the identities of the authors and the reviewers are concealed from each other throughout the process. Each manuscript that passes initial screening is reviewed by at least two independent experts.

Workflow

1. Submission
author submits through OJS · automatic acknowledgment
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2. Initial screening · Managing Editor
scope, template, completeness, ethics statements, anonymization, similarity check
↓
Desk rejection
out of scope or serious problems
Returned for formatting
resubmit within 7 days
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3. Editorial assessment · Associate Editor
scientific merit, novelty, and suitability for review; reviewers invited
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4. Double-blind peer review · ≥ 2 reviewers
a third reviewer is invited if recommendations conflict
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5. Editorial decision
↓
Accept
Minor revision
Major revision
Reject
↓
6. Final decision · Editor-in-Chief
↓
7. Production
copyediting · layout · proofreading · author proof
↓
8. Publication
in the scheduled issue · DOI registered with Crossref

Stages in Detail

Stage Responsible What happens Target time
Initial screening Managing Editor Checks scope, use of the template, completeness of files and metadata, ethics approval, anonymization, and similarity. Manuscripts with minor formatting problems are returned to the authors; manuscripts that are clearly out of scope or below standard are declined. 7 days
Editorial assessment Associate Editor Assesses the scientific contribution and methodological soundness. Suitable manuscripts are sent to reviewers selected for their expertise and lack of conflicts of interest. 7 days
Peer review Reviewers Each reviewer evaluates the manuscript using the journal's review form and gives a recommendation. Extensions may be granted on request. 21 days
Decision Associate Editor and Editor-in-Chief The associate editor weighs the reviews and recommends a decision; the Editor-in-Chief confirms it. The authors receive the decision with all reviewer comments. 7 days
Revision Authors Authors revise the manuscript and respond to every comment point by point. 14 or 30 days
Re-review Original reviewers After a major revision, the reviewers check whether their concerns have been addressed. A manuscript normally goes through no more than two rounds of review. 14 days
Production Copyeditor, Layout Editor, Proofreader Copyediting for language, style, and consistency; layout of the galley; proofreading; author approval of the proof. 3–4 weeks
Publication Journal Manager The article is published in its scheduled issue, its DOI is registered, and its metadata are sent to indexing services. Issue date

The journal aims to communicate a first decision within six weeks of submission. The dates of submission, revision, acceptance, and publication are printed on every article.

Detailed rules are set out in the Review Policy, and instructions for reviewers in the Review Guideline.