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 reviewers therefore play a vital role in maintaining the high standards of Medical Image Analysis and all manuscripts are peer reviewed following the procedure outlined below.
Special issues and/or conference proceedings may have different peer review procedures involving Guest Editors. Authors contributing to these projects may receive full details of the peer review process on request from the editorial office.
Initial manuscript evaluation
The Editors first evaluate all manuscripts. It is rare, but it is entirely feasible for an exceptional manuscript to be accepted at this stage. 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. Medical Image Analysis does not impose any restrictions on article length. However, authors should be aware that longer articles usually take more time to review. Manuscripts that meet the minimum criteria are passed on to at least two experts for review. Authors of manuscripts rejected at this stage will normally be informed within two weeks of receipt.
Type of peer review
This journal employs single blind review, where the reviewer remains anonymous throughout the process.
How the reviewer is selected
Reviewers are matched to the paper according to their expertise. Our reviewer database is constantly being updated. We welcome suggestions for reviewers from the author though these recommendations may or may not be used.
Reviewer reports
Reviewers 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
Reviewers are not expected to correct or copyedit manuscripts. Language correction is not part of the peer review process.
How long does the review process take?
Typically a manuscript will be reviewed within three months. Should the reviewers' reports contradict one another, or a report be unnecessarily delayed, a further expert opinion will be sought, in which case the review process may take somewhat longer. Revised manuscripts are usually returned to the initial reviewers within two weeks. Reviewers may request more than one revision of a manuscript.
Final report
A final decision to accept or reject the manuscript will be sent to the author along with any recommendation made by the reviewers, and may include verbatim comments by the reviewers.
Editor's decision is final
Reviewers advise the Editor, who is responsible for the final decision to accept or reject the article.
Becoming a reviewer for Medical Image Analysis
If you are not currently a reviewer for Medical Image Analysis but would like to be added to the list of reviewers for this title, please contact the editorial office at isabelle.strobant@sophia.inria.fr. The benefits of reviewing for Medical Image Analysis include the opportunity to see and evaluate the latest work in your research area at an early stage, and to be acknowledged in an annual statement in Medical Image Analysis if you have reviewed at least one manuscript in the preceding twelve months. You may also be able to cite your work for Medical Image Analysis as part of your professional development requirements for various Professional Societies and Organisations.
