Editorial Process for the International Journal for Housing Science and Its Applications
The International Journal for Housing Science and Its Applications is committed to a meticulous and transparent editorial process designed to uphold the highest standards of quality in research publication. Our approach to peer review is not only rigorous but also aims to foster fairness and equity among all participants involved.
Peer Review Model
The journal employs a single-blind peer review system, which involves at least two independent reviewers for each submission. The final decision regarding acceptance or rejection rests with the Editor-in-Chief or another designated academic editor. The Editor-in-Chief holds the ultimate responsibility for maintaining the academic integrity of the publication process, making acceptance decisions, approving external editors, and determining topics for special collections, including Special Issues and Topical Collections. Furthermore, the Editor-in-Chief is responsible for appointing new members to the Editorial Board.
Editorial Workflow
The editorial workflow begins with a pre-check phase, which consists of two main components: a technical pre-check performed by the Editorial Office and an editorial pre-check conducted by an academic editor.
- Pre-Check Phase:
- Upon submission, the Managing Editor executes a technical pre-check to assess:
- Alignment of the manuscript with the journal’s goals and specific sections or special issues.
- Adherence to high research quality standards and ethical guidelines.
- Suitability for subsequent review processes.
- Following this, an academic editor evaluates the manuscript’s relevance and scientific validity, including methodology and references. This academic editor may be the Editor-in-Chief, a Guest Editor, or an Editorial Board member. Notably, individuals cannot make decisions regarding their own submissions to avoid conflicts of interest.
- Upon submission, the Managing Editor executes a technical pre-check to assess:
Peer Review Process
From the moment a manuscript is submitted until the final decision is made, a dedicated staff member oversees the review process, ensuring effective communication between authors, academic editors, and reviewers.
Reviewers: A minimum of two review reports is required for each submission. Reviewers are chosen from the Editorial Board, our database of qualified reviewers, or new reviewers identified based on their expertise. Authors may also suggest potential reviewers, provided they have no conflicts of interest.
Criteria for Reviewers: Reviewers must meet specific criteria, including:
- No conflicts of interest with the authors.
- Affiliation with a different institution than the authors.
- No collaborations with the authors in the past three years.
- A PhD and relevant experience in the field of study.
- Established academic credentials.
Reviewers are expected to provide thorough evaluations within 2-3 months, with extensions available upon request. For revised submissions, a quicker turnaround of one month is generally expected.
Revision and Resubmission
In cases where revisions are recommended, authors are asked to revise their manuscripts before resubmission to the academic editor. If conflicting reports arise, the academic editor may seek further guidance before making a decision. Typically, no more than two rounds of major revisions are allowed.
- Resubmissions: Manuscripts that receive a status of “Reject and Encourage Resubmission” can be resubmitted once revisions are made. Upon resubmission, the editorial process continues, and the original reviewers may be invited to evaluate the revised manuscript.
Decision-Making
After peer review, acceptance decisions are made based on at least two review reports. The academic editor may recommend various outcomes, including acceptance, minor revisions, or rejection. The Editor-in-Chief retains the authority to disagree with reviewer recommendations but must provide justification for such decisions. In exceptional cases, a second opinion may be sought.
Production Process
Our dedicated in-house teams manage the entire production process, including language editing and formatting. For manuscripts requiring extensive language editing, we offer professional editing services, ensuring that all published work meets the journal’s high standards.
Ethical Standards
The International Journal for Housing Science and Its Applications adheres strictly to the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). We investigate ethical concerns raised by readers and follow COPE procedures to address issues related to authorship, misconduct, and research validity.
Publishing Standards and Guidelines
We comply with several established standards, including those from the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors and the CONSORT statement for reporting randomized controlled trials. Authors are encouraged to follow these guidelines to enhance the integrity and quality of their submissions.
Editorial Independence
All articles undergo rigorous peer review by our independent Editorial Board members, ensuring that decisions regarding manuscript acceptance are free from external influence. Our commitment is to publish only scientifically sound manuscripts, allowing the broader academic community to assess the impact of the research.
Conclusion
Our goal is to provide a comprehensive and efficient editorial process that fosters the dissemination of high-quality research in housing science and its applications. We strive to ensure that all manuscripts are evaluated fairly and thoroughly, maintaining the integrity and reputation of our journal in the academic community.