Peer Review Process
QU Press is committed to implementing rigid peer review standards on all submitted papers and books. Each submission goes through an initial review by its assigned editor, QU Press Editorial Committee, and external specialized reviewers. Whenever the submission passes through the initial review, a minimum of two peer reviewers, who are expert in the field, are assigned to review the work. Authors’ identities and names are removed from all documents sent to reviewers. Following the feedback of the reviewers and QU Press Editorial Committee, submissions that require revisions are sent back to authors for improvement based on the provided feedback and comments. Editorial decisions, whether it is an acceptance, revision or rejection, will be shared with the authors at the soonest possible. Reviewers are selected based on their academic merit and proximity of specialization with the manuscript in hand. Reviewers respond to a specific set of questions that focus on originality, research relevance, methodology, and several other criteria.
Books that are endorsed for publishing by the Press are proposed to the Editorial Committee before final approval.
Impartiality
Editors evaluate the submissions exclusively on the basis of their academic merit (importance, originality, study’s validity, and clarity) and without regard to the authors’ race, gender, ethnic origin, citizenship, religious belief, political philosophy, or institutional affiliation.
Objectivity
Reviews are conducted objectively and observations are formulated clearly with supporting arguments so that authors can use them for improving the manuscript. Personal criticism of the authors is inappropriate.
Confidentiality
Submitted manuscripts for review are treated with confidentiality and care in reviewer selection. Books are discussed with others except as authorized by the editor. Accepted manuscripts go through copyediting, typesetting, proofreading, and indexing. A production timeline is set for accepted books and journal issues.