Peer Review Process

The International Journal of Open Science uses a double-blind peer review system, meaning that neither authors know the identity of the reviewers, nor do reviewers know the identity of the authors. This mechanism ensures an impartial evaluation focused exclusively on the academic merit of the manuscript.

Review Process Stages

• Initial editorial review: The editorial team verifies that the manuscript complies with the journal’s thematic, formal, and ethical policies.
• Reviewer assignment: The manuscript is sent to two external expert reviewers, selected based on thematic alignment, academic background, and absence of conflicts of interest.
• Double-blind evaluation: Reviewers issue a report based on criteria such as originality, methodological quality, thematic relevance, and clarity of the manuscript.
• Editorial decision: Based on the reports, the handling editor decides whether to accept, reject, or request revisions to the manuscript.
• Review of revised versions: In the case of revisions, the manuscript may be reassessed by the same reviewers.

Evaluation Criteria

Reviewers evaluate manuscripts based on the following aspects:

• Relevance in the context of Open Science and Higher Education.
• Methodological rigor and theoretical foundation.
• Clarity, coherence, and structure of the text.
• Originality and contribution to scientific knowledge.
• Research ethics and data availability.

Estimated Duration

The complete peer review process, from manuscript submission to the first editorial decision, takes an estimated 6 to 10 weeks, depending on reviewer availability and the nature of the manuscript.

Ethical and Responsible Review

The journal adheres to the COPE Code of Conduct and promotes good review practices, ensuring confidentiality, transparency of the process, and academic quality of the reports. Reviewers must declare any conflict of interest and maintain anonymity during and after the review process.