Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – ESTEM Inc.

1. What is ESTEM Inc.?

ESTEM Inc. is an open-access scholarly publishing company that publishes peer-reviewed journals across science, technology, engineering, medicine, and interdisciplinary research. All articles are freely accessible worldwide without subscription barriers.

2. Are ESTEM Inc. journals open access?

Yes. All journals published by ESTEM Inc. follow a full open-access model. Articles are available online immediately upon publication with no embargo period.

3. Do authors retain copyright?

Yes. Authors retain the copyright to their work. Articles are published under Creative Commons licenses, allowing reuse with proper attribution according to the license terms.

4. Is peer review conducted for all articles?

Yes. All submitted manuscripts undergo rigorous peer review before acceptance. Editorial decisions are based solely on academic merit, originality, relevance, and ethical compliance.

5. What peer-review models are used?

Depending on the journal, ESTEM Inc. may use:

  • Single-blind peer review

  • Double-blind peer review

  • Open peer review (where applicable)

The review model is clearly stated on each journal’s website.

6. Are there Article Processing Charges (APCs)?

Yes. ESTEM Inc. may charge Article Processing Charges (APCs) to cover editorial handling, peer review, production, hosting, DOI registration, and long-term preservation.

  • APCs are charged only after acceptance

  • There are no submission fees unless explicitly stated

  • APC details are transparently displayed on journal websites

7. Are APC waivers or discounts available?

Yes. ESTEM Inc. may offer waivers or discounts for eligible authors, institutions, or special circumstances, according to journal policy. Requests are handled independently of editorial decisions.

8. Does APC payment influence acceptance?

No. APC payments have no influence on peer review or editorial decisions. ESTEM Inc. strictly maintains editorial independence.

9. How long does the peer-review process take?

Review timelines vary by journal and discipline. ESTEM Inc. strives for an efficient and timely review process while maintaining quality and rigor.

10. Where are ESTEM Inc. journals indexed?

Indexing depends on journal maturity and evaluation outcomes. ESTEM Inc. supports indexing in academic databases, search engines, and repositories. Journals are progressively submitted to recognized indexing agencies as they meet eligibility criteria.

11. Are articles permanently archived?

Yes. ESTEM Inc. ensures long-term digital preservation through DOI-based access, repository archiving, and digital preservation systems.

12. Can authors deposit articles in repositories?

Yes. Authors may deposit accepted or published versions of their articles in:

  • Institutional repositories

  • Subject-specific repositories

  • Personal or laboratory repositories

No embargo restrictions apply.

13. Does ESTEM Inc. publish Special Issues?

Yes. ESTEM Inc. publishes Special Issues on focused or emerging research themes. Proposals are reviewed by editorial boards, and all Special Issue articles undergo standard peer review.

14. How does ESTEM Inc. handle publication ethics?

ESTEM Inc. follows international publication ethics and best practices consistent with guidance from Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Issues such as plagiarism, duplicate publication, and misconduct are handled transparently.

15. What happens if an error is found after publication?

ESTEM Inc. supports post-publication integrity through:

  • Corrections or errata

  • Retractions (for serious ethical issues)

  • Expressions of concern (when required)

16. Can authors appeal editorial decisions?

Yes. Authors may submit appeals or complaints to the editorial office. Appeals are reviewed objectively by independent editors.

17. How can I contact ESTEM Inc.?

For general inquiries:

Editorial & Author Support Office
ESTEM Inc.

📧 Email: support@esteminc.com
🌐 Website: www.esteminc.com