Participations is proud to have pioneered a distinctive form of open peer review, which has regularly received praise and thanks from our authors.
Stage One: Desk Review
Wherever possible, each submission is first read by one of the Editors, with two considerations in mind:
- Does the submission fit within the broad purposes of the Journal?
- Are there any issues which can best be addressed before we take the time of referees?
If necessary, the Editor will communicate their initial feedback to the author(s), giving an opportunity for them to address the matters raised, before proceeding to the stage of full editorial consideration.
Stage Two: Peer Review
Once a submission has passed desk review, it is then forwarded to two topic-appropriate referees. This will be done on an open basis, with names of authors known to referees, and – once reviews are completed – the names of referees communicated to author(s). We have found this to work very effectively, encouraging critical-supportive dialogue leading to strengthening of submissions. Themed sections follow a different process, details of which can be found in the Guest Editor Guidelines.
Following receipt of the two referees’ reports, the Editor will review their outcomes, decide on the appropriate overall outcome, and forward this and the Reports to the author(s). There are four possible outcomes:
- Accept
- Accept with minor revisions
- Accept with major revisions
- Revise and Resubmit
Authors will receive both reviews, which will include detailed information about any necessary revisions. You may also receive specific revisions via comment bubbles on the article manuscript. Articles that receive ‘Accept with Major’ or ‘Revise and Resubmit’ will be returned to one of the original reviewers for confirmation that the revisions are acceptable. Articles that receive ‘Accept with Minor’ will be checked by the editorial team.
Participations is run on a volunteer basis, independently of any commercial press, and due to rising pressures on the time of referees, we cannot give an exact timetable for how long these processes may take. However the Editorial team will keep authors informed as the process progresses and, let authors know any likely publication date as soon as possible.
Stage Three: Production
Authors will be sent a ‘proof copy’ of their article shortly before publication. Aside from final page-numbering, this will be what appears in the Journal. Final corrections must be made at this point, and only in very exceptional circumstances can they be made thereafter.