Peer_Review_Process

Peer Review Process

Selat Melaka Journal applies a rigorous and transparent double-blind peer review process to ensure the quality, originality, academic integrity, and relevance of all published articles.

1. Submission of Manuscript

Authors submit manuscripts electronically through the Open Journal Systems (OJS) platform. All submissions must comply with the journal’s author guidelines, focus and scope, and ethical policies.

2. Initial Editorial Screening

Each submitted manuscript is first reviewed by the editorial team to assess:

  • Suitability with the journal’s focus and scope
  • Compliance with author guidelines and formatting requirements
  • Completeness of submission files
  • Plagiarism screening
  • Ethical compliance

Manuscripts that do not meet these requirements may be rejected or returned to authors for revision before proceeding to peer review.

3. Assignment to Handling Editor

Manuscripts that pass the initial screening are assigned to a handling editor with relevant subject expertise. The handling editor oversees the peer review process and communication with reviewers and authors.

4. Double-Blind Peer Review

Selat Melaka Journal implements a double-blind peer review, in which:

  • Reviewers do not know the identity of the authors
  • Authors do not know the identity of the reviewers

Each manuscript is reviewed by at least two independent reviewers who are experts in the relevant field and have no conflicts of interest.

5. Reviewer Evaluation

Reviewers evaluate manuscripts based on the following criteria:

  • Originality and novelty
  • Relevance to the journal’s scope
  • Theoretical framework and literature review
  • Research methodology and data analysis
  • Quality of discussion and conclusions
  • Clarity of writing and academic presentation
  • Ethical considerations

Reviewers provide constructive comments and recommendations for improvement.

6. Reviewer Recommendations

Based on the reviewers’ reports, recommendations may include:

  • Accept without revision
  • Accept with minor revisions
  • Revise and resubmit (major revisions)
  • Reject

7. Editorial Decision

The final decision is made by the Editor-in-Chief or the handling editor based on reviewers’ comments and editorial judgment. The decision is communicated to the author through the OJS system.

8. Revision Process

If revisions are required, authors must:

  • Revise the manuscript according to reviewers’ comments
  • Submit a point-by-point response explaining how each comment has been addressed

Revised manuscripts may be returned to the original reviewers for further evaluation, particularly in cases of major revisions.

9. Final Acceptance

Once the manuscript meets all academic, ethical, and technical requirements, it is formally accepted for publication.
At this stage, authors will receive notification regarding:

  • Final acceptance
  • Copyediting and layout process
  • Article Processing Charge (APC) payment

10. Copyediting and Proofreading

Accepted manuscripts undergo copyediting, layout formatting, and proofreading. Authors are responsible for reviewing and approving the final proofs before publication.

11. Publication

The final version of the article is published online in Selat Melaka Journal and made openly accessible according to the journal’s open access policy.

12. Confidentiality and Ethical Conduct

All parties involved in the peer review process editors, reviewers, and authors are required to maintain confidentiality and adhere to the journal’s ethical standards. Reviewers and editors must not use unpublished materials for personal advantage.