Peer Review Policy for Journal of Archaeological Science
Peer Review Policy Statement
The practice of peer review is to ensure that good science is published. It is an objective process at the heart of good scholarly publishing and is carried out on all reputable scientific journals. Our referees therefore play a vital role in maintaining the high standards of Journal of Archaeological Science and all manuscripts are peer reviewed following the procedure outlined below.
Initial manuscript evaluation
The Editor first evaluates all manuscripts. Those rejected at this stage are insufficiently original, have serious scientific flaws, have poor grammar or English language, or are outside the aims and scope of the journal. Those that meet the minimum criteria are passed on to at least 2 experts for review; these may include members of the Editorial Board. Authors of manuscripts rejected at this stage will be informed as soon as practical, typically within one or two weeks of receipt.
Type of peer review
This journal employs single blind reviewing, where the referee remains anonymous throughout the process.
How the referee is selected
Referees are matched to the paper according to their expertise. Our database is constantly being updated. We request suggestions for referees from the author though these recommendations may or may not be used.
Referee reports
Referees are asked to evaluate whether the manuscript:
- is original
- is methodologically sound
- follows appropriate ethical guidelines
- has results which are clearly presented and support the conclusions
- correctly references previous relevant work
Referees are not expected to correct or copy edit manuscripts. Language correction is not part of the peer review process.
How long does the review process take?
Typically the manuscript will be reviewed within one or two months. Should the referees' reports contradict one another or a report is unduly delayed a further expert opinion will be sought.
Final report
A final decision to accept or reject the manuscript will be sent to the author along with any recommendations made by the referees, and may include verbatim comments by the referees.
Editor's decision is final
Referees advise the Editor, who is responsible for the final decision to accept or reject the article.
Becoming a referee
If you are not currently a referee for Journal of Archaeological Science but would like to be added to the list of referees for this title, please contact the editorial office. The benefits of refereeing for Journal of Archaeological Science include the opportunity to see and evaluate the latest work in your research area at an early stage. You may also be able to cite your work for Journal of Archaeological Science as part of your professional development requirements for various professional societies and organisations.