Peer Review Guidelines

Peer Review Guidelines – ESTEM Inc.

1. Purpose of Peer Review

Peer review is fundamental to maintaining the quality, integrity, and credibility of scholarly publishing at ESTEM Inc.
The peer-review process ensures that all published articles meet high standards of scientific rigor, originality, ethical compliance, and academic relevance.

2. Peer Review Model

ESTEM Inc. journals operate one of the following peer-review models, as specified by each journal:

  • Single-blind peer review

  • Double-blind peer review

  • Open peer review (where applicable)

The selected model is clearly stated on the individual journal website.

3. Initial Editorial Assessment

Upon submission, each manuscript undergoes an initial screening by the editorial office to assess:

  • Relevance to the journal’s scope

  • Compliance with submission and ethical guidelines

  • Originality and basic academic standards

Manuscripts failing to meet these requirements may be rejected without external review.

4. Reviewer Selection

Editors select reviewers based on:

  • Subject-matter expertise

  • Academic qualifications and publication record

  • Absence of conflicts of interest

Reviewers are invited to evaluate manuscripts objectively and confidentially.

5. Review Process

During peer review, reviewers are asked to evaluate:

  • Scientific validity and methodological rigor

  • Originality and contribution to the field

  • Quality of data analysis and interpretation

  • Ethical compliance and research integrity

  • Clarity, structure, and presentation

Reviewers submit detailed reports with recommendations to the editor.

6. Editorial Decision-Making

Based on reviewer feedback and editorial judgment, decisions may include:

  • Accept

  • Minor revision

  • Major revision

  • Reject

Final decisions are made by the Editor-in-Chief or designated handling editor. Editorial decisions are independent and based solely on scholarly merit.

7. Revisions and Resubmissions

Authors receiving revision requests must:

  • Address reviewer comments clearly and respectfully

  • Submit a point-by-point response

  • Revise manuscripts within the specified timeframe

Revised manuscripts may undergo additional rounds of review if necessary.

8. Confidentiality

The peer-review process is confidential.

  • Manuscripts and reviewer reports are not shared outside the editorial process

  • Reviewer identities are protected according to the review model in use

9. Conflict of Interest

All participants in the peer-review process must disclose any conflicts of interest.
Editors reassign manuscripts where conflicts are identified to ensure impartiality.

10. Ethical Oversight

ESTEM Inc. adheres to international publication ethics consistent with guidance from
Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Any concerns regarding plagiarism, data manipulation, duplicate submission, or unethical research practices are investigated in accordance with ethical guidelines.

11. Timeliness

ESTEM Inc. is committed to an efficient review process.

  • Reviewers are requested to submit reports within agreed timelines

  • Editors monitor progress to minimize unnecessary delays

12. Appeals and Complaints

Authors may submit appeals or complaints regarding editorial decisions by contacting the editorial office.
Appeals are reviewed objectively and handled by independent editors where appropriate.

13. Transparency and Accountability

ESTEM Inc. maintains transparency by:

  • Clearly documenting peer-review procedures

  • Providing constructive reviewer feedback to authors

  • Ensuring editorial accountability at all stages

14. Contact Information

For peer-review policy questions or concerns:

Peer Review & Editorial Office
ESTEM Inc.

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