Peer Review
All research articles, review articles, case reports, and case series published in Spring Library journals undergo full peer review by independent academic editors and reviewers. We only publish articles that have been approved by highly qualified researchers with expertise in a field appropriate for the article.
Submission and screening
The entire editorial process for manuscript review is performed using Spring Library’s online manuscript tracking system. Once a manuscript is submitted for publication, the manuscript is checked by the journal’s editorial office, to ensure the files are complete and that the relevant metadata are in order. Once this screening phase is complete manuscripts may then be triaged by a senior Editorial Board member — either the Chief Editor, or one of a select team of Associate/Section Editors. At this point the manuscript may be rejected if deemed unsuitable for the journal. The Editorial Board is clearly displayed on each journal’s homepage.
Editorial assignment and assessment
Manuscripts that successfully pass the previous phase are assigned to an Academic Editor who coordinates peer review process. This assignment is performed algorithmically according to their subject expertise, or personally by a senior Editorial Board Member.
The Academic Editor performs an assessment of the manuscript before inviting a number of potential reviewers to provide a peer-review report for those they deem potentially publishable. Reviewers are asked to summarise the manuscript, give constructive analysis, and suggest whether the manuscript should be rejected, reconsidered after changes, or rejected.
Making a decision
- Reject
- Consider after Major Changes
- Consider after Minor Changes
- Publish Unaltered
Additional article types
‘Editorials’ are written by Spring Library’s Editorial Board Members or Guest Editors and do not typically undergo peer review.
‘Letters to the Editor’ are usually assessed by the editor who handled the original article and decide whether to publish the letter, in some cases they will make this decision after having consulted peer reviewers.
‘Errata’, ‘corrigenda’, ‘retraction notices’, and ‘expressions of concern’ are all written by Spring Library’s editorial staff and do not typically undergo peer review.