Peer review policy
The practice of peer review is to ensure that high quality scientific material is published.
It is an objective process at the heart of competitive academic publishing and is carried out on all reputable scientific journals. Our referees therefore play a vital role in maintaining the high standards of the journal "Japan and the World Economy" and all manuscripts are peer reviewed following the procedure outlined below.
Special issues and/or conference proceedings may have different peer review procedures involving, for example, Guest Editors, Conference Organisers or Scientific Committees. On request from the editorial office authors contributing to these projects may receive full details of the peer review process.
Initial manuscript evaluation
First, the Editor evaluates all manuscripts. Manuscripts rejected at this initial point can be the result of material being insufficiently original, having serious scientific flaws, grammatical errors or written in poor English, or falling outside the aims and scope of the journal. Those that meet the minimum criteria are passed on to at least two experts for review. Authors of rejected manuscripts will be informed within 4 weeks of submission.
The Editor then usually sends the paper to one of the Associate Editors, who chooses the referee.
Type of peer review
This journal employs a single blind review, where the referee remains anonymous throughout the process. The Editor may choose two referees.
How the referee is selected?
Referees are closely matched to the paper selected according to their expertise. If it is difficult to obtain a referee; and the paper falls within the special expertise of one of the Editors or Associate Editors, then the Editor or the Associate Editor may act as a referee.
Referee reports
Referees are asked to evaluate whether the manuscript: • is original; • is methodologically sound; • follows appropriate ethical guidelines; • correctly references previous relevant work.
Referees are not expected to correct or edit manuscripts. Language correction is not part of the peer review process.
How long does the review process take?
Referees will be asked to deliver their review within 3 months.
Should the referees' reports fundamentally contradict one another, a further expert opinion will be sought. In case of a substantial delay, another referee will be nominated and asked to review the paper. Revised manuscripts will be returned to the initial referees within 2 weeks.
Final report
A final decision to accept or reject the manuscript will be sent to the corresponding author along with any recommendations made 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 for the "Japan and the World Economy"
If you are not currently a referee for the "Japan and the World Economy" but would like to be added to the list of referees for this title, please contact the Editorial Office.
The benefits of refereeing for the "Japan and the World Economy" include the opportunity to see and evaluate the latest work within your research area at an early stage, and to be acknowledged in an annual statement in the "Japan and the World Economy" if they have reviewed a manuscript in the previous 12 months. You may also be able to cite your work for the "Japan and the World Economy" as part of your professional development achievements for various Professional Societies and Organisations.
