Peer Review Process

The journal employs a single-blind peer review model: the reviewer is aware of the authors’ identities, but the authors remain unaware of who reviewed their manuscript. The confidentiality of the reviewers’ identities is maintained at all stages of the peer review process and after the editorial decision has been reached.

Stages of Peer Review:
1. Preliminary Evaluation (up to 5 working days):
The editorial office assesses whether the manuscript aligns with the scope of the journal and complies with the formatting guidelines. Manuscripts that fail to meet these basic criteria are returned to the authors without being sent for peer review.
2. Peer Review (up to 4 weeks):
The manuscript is sent to two independent reviewers who are specialists in the corresponding field.
3. Editorial Decision:
The editorial board decides to accept the manuscript, return it for revision based on the reviewers' comments, or reject it. The editorial decision and, if available, the anonymized reviewers' comments are sent to the corresponding author.
4. Revision (if required):
The author must return the revised version of the manuscript within 4 weeks.

A positive evaluation from the reviewers does not guarantee publication; the final decision rests with the editorial board. Review reports are archived by the editorial office for 5 years.

Appealing an Editorial Decision

The corresponding author has the right to submit a reasoned appeal against a rejection decision or substantial reviewer comments within 30 calendar days from the date of notification. Appeals are evaluated by the editorial board; if necessary, the manuscript may be sent to an additional independent reviewer. Appeals must be directed to Marina Gennadievna Bezel at editor@neftemir.ru.