Peer Review Policy

Peer Review Policy

Econova: A Journal of Business, Commerce, and Economic Research is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic quality, fairness, and integrity in the publication process. The journal follows a double-blind peer review process to ensure objective and impartial evaluation of submitted manuscripts.

1. Overview of the Review Process

• All manuscripts submitted to Econova are initially evaluated by the editorial team to assess their relevance, originality, and adherence to the journal’s submission guidelines.
• Manuscripts that pass the initial screening are assigned to at least two independent reviewers with subject-matter expertise.
• The identity of both the authors and reviewers remains anonymous throughout the review process (double-blind review).
• Reviewers assess the manuscript based on criteria such as:
• Originality and significance of the contribution
• Methodological soundness
• Clarity and coherence of presentation
• Ethical integrity and proper citation of sources
• Relevance to the journal's scope and readership

2. Editorial Decision-Making

Based on the reviewers’ recommendations, the editorial team will make one of the following decisions:

• Accept
• Accept with Minor Revisions
• Revise and Resubmit (Major Revisions)
• Reject

Authors are informed of the decision along with detailed reviewer comments. If revisions are requested, authors must submit a revised manuscript and a point-by-point response within the specified deadline.

3. Reviewer Responsibilities

Reviewers are expected to:

• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding the manuscript and review process
• Provide constructive, respectful, and unbiased feedback
• Disclose any conflicts of interest and decline the review if necessary
• Evaluate the manuscript objectively and base their comments on academic merit
• Flag any potential ethical concerns (e.g., plagiarism, data manipulation, or duplicate submission)

3. Timelines

While Econova strives for timely processing, the focus remains on rigor and thorough evaluation rather than speed. The average time from submission to initial decision is approximately 8–12 weeks, though this may vary depending on manuscript complexity and reviewer availability.

5. Appeals Process

Authors have the right to appeal editorial decisions if they believe the review was biased or based on a misunderstanding. Appeals must be submitted in writing with a detailed explanation. The appeal will be reviewed by an independent editorial board member or advisor, whose decision will be final.

6. Ethical Oversight

Econova adheres to the COPE Core Practices. Any suspected cases of plagiarism, data fabrication, unethical research conduct, or conflicts of interest will be thoroughly investigated. If misconduct is confirmed, appropriate action will be taken, which may include manuscript rejection, retraction, or institutional notification.

7. Continuous Improvement

The journal regularly reviews its peer review procedures to ensure transparency, fairness, and efficiency. We welcome feedback from authors, reviewers, and editors to help strengthen the quality of the review process.