Peer Review Process

International Journal for Research in Environment (IJRE) follows a rigorous double-blind peer review process to ensure the originality, academic quality, methodological soundness, and ethical integrity of all submitted manuscripts. The review process is designed to be transparent, impartial, confidential, and consistent with internationally recognized standards of scholarly publishing and the recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

1. Manuscript Submission

Authors submit their manuscripts through the journal's online submission system or through the official editorial communication channel. Upon receipt, the editorial office acknowledges the submission and registers the manuscript for preliminary editorial assessment.

2. Initial Editorial Evaluation (7–10 Days)

The editorial team conducts an initial screening to determine whether the manuscript meets the journal's basic editorial, ethical, and academic requirements.

  • Alignment with the journal's aims and scope.
  • Compliance with the journal's formatting and submission requirements.
  • Plagiarism screening with a maximum permissible similarity index of 15%.
  • AI-generated content assessment, where applicable, with a maximum permissible level of 5%.
  • Overall academic quality, originality, and relevance.
  • Appropriateness of the research methodology and presentation.

Only manuscripts that successfully pass the preliminary editorial evaluation proceed to the formal peer review stage.

3. Double-Blind Peer Review

Eligible manuscripts are assigned to two or more independent reviewers with relevant expertise in the subject area. IJRRE follows a double-blind peer review system, under which the identities of both authors and reviewers are kept confidential throughout the review process, to the extent practicable.

Reviewers evaluate manuscripts based on the following criteria:

  • Originality and significance of the research.
  • Research methodology and academic rigor.
  • Accuracy, reliability, and validity of findings.
  • Clarity, organization, and quality of presentation.
  • Relevance to environmental research and the journal's scope.
  • Contribution to environmental science, sustainability, ecology, or related fields.
  • Quality of references and engagement with relevant scholarly literature.

Reviewers are encouraged to provide constructive comments and recommendations that can help authors strengthen the academic quality and clarity of their manuscripts.

4. Editorial Decision

After receiving the reviewers' reports, the editorial team evaluates the recommendations and determines the appropriate editorial decision. Possible decisions include:

  • Accept
  • Minor Revision
  • Major Revision
  • Reject

Relevant reviewer comments and recommendations are communicated to the authors to assist them in making the necessary revisions.

5. Revision

When revisions are requested, authors are normally provided 1–3 weeks to submit a revised version of the manuscript, unless an alternative timeframe is communicated by the editorial office.

Authors are expected to:

  • Address all reviewer comments carefully and comprehensively.
  • Submit a revised version of the manuscript highlighting the necessary changes.
  • Provide a detailed response explaining how each significant reviewer comment has been addressed.
  • Ensure that the revised manuscript continues to comply with the journal's ethical and formatting requirements.

The revised manuscript may be returned to the original reviewers or evaluated by the editorial team, depending on the nature and extent of the requested revisions.

6. Final Decision

The Editor-in-Chief or designated academic editor makes the final publication decision after considering the reviewers' recommendations, the quality of the revised manuscript, and its overall academic contribution.

The final decision takes into consideration:

  • Reviewer recommendations and assessments.
  • Quality and completeness of the revisions.
  • Originality and scientific contribution.
  • Methodological soundness.
  • Relevance to environmental research and the journal's scope.
  • Compliance with publication ethics and editorial standards.

The final evaluation is generally completed within 2–3 weeks, depending on the complexity of the manuscript and the review process.

7. Publication

Manuscripts that receive final acceptance proceed to the production stage. The production process may include:

  • Copyediting and proofreading.
  • Formatting and layout preparation.
  • Author verification of the final version, where applicable.
  • Copyright and publication documentation.
  • Final online publication.

The final version of an accepted article is typically prepared for online publication within 7 days after acceptance, subject to completion of the required production and author-related formalities.

Ethical Responsibility

Throughout the peer review and publication process, International Journal for Research in Environment (IJRE) is committed to maintaining responsible and ethical scholarly publishing practices and follows internationally recognized publication ethics principles, including the recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

All participants in the publication process—including authors, reviewers, editors, and editorial staff—are expected to uphold:

  • Confidentiality of submitted manuscripts.
  • Impartiality and fairness in peer review.
  • Transparency in editorial communication.
  • Disclosure and appropriate management of conflicts of interest.
  • Originality and academic integrity.
  • Accuracy and reliability of published information.
  • Integrity, honesty, and professionalism in scholarly publishing.

The journal reserves the right to take appropriate editorial action when concerns relating to plagiarism, research misconduct, unethical practices, conflicts of interest, or other violations of publication ethics are identified.