Peer Review

World Science is committed to maintaining the highest standards of scholarly publishing through a rigorous and transparent double-blind peer review process. This ensures that submitted manuscripts are evaluated objectively, confidentially, and fairly, based on academic merit, originality, and relevance to the journal’s scope.

1. Submission and Initial Editorial Screening

  • All manuscripts submitted to World Science undergo an initial editorial assessment by the editorial office.
  • The editorial team reviews the submission for scope alignment, originality, ethical compliance, and adherence to author guidelines.
  • Manuscripts failing to meet basic criteria may be rejected without peer review or returned to the authors for revision prior to review.

2. Plagiarism Check

Before proceeding to peer review, manuscripts are screened using plagiarism detection software (e.g., iThenticate) to ensure originality. Manuscripts with significant overlap or suspected plagiarism are rejected in accordance with the journal’s Plagiarism Policy.

3. Double-Blind Peer Review

  • World Science uses a double-blind review process: reviewers are not informed of the authors’ identities, and authors do not know the identities of the reviewers.
  • Each manuscript is typically evaluated by two independent experts in the relevant field.
  • Reviewers assess the manuscript for:
    • Originality and significance of the research.
    • Methodological soundness and data validity.
    • Clarity of presentation and logical structure.
    • Appropriateness of conclusions.
    • Compliance with ethical standards.
  • Reviewers provide detailed comments and recommendations: Accept, Minor Revision, Major Revision, or Reject.

4. Editorial Decision

  • The Editor-in-Chief or Section Editor reviews the peer reviewers’ reports and makes a final decision based on the manuscript’s quality and reviewer feedback.
  • The decision, along with reviewers’ anonymized comments, is communicated to the authors.
  • If revisions are requested, authors are expected to submit a revised manuscript along with a detailed response to reviewers within a specified timeframe.

5. Revision and Further Review

  • Revised manuscripts may be sent back to the original reviewers for further evaluation.
  • The editorial team ensures that all concerns have been addressed satisfactorily before making a final decision.

6. Final Decision and Publication

  • Upon acceptance, manuscripts undergo copyediting, typesetting, and proofreading.
  • Authors are provided with proofs for final approval before publication.
  • The article is then published online in Open Access format and assigned a DOI for permanent citation and indexing.

Reviewer Selection and Ethics

  • Reviewers are selected based on subject expertise, publication history, and absence of conflicts of interest.
  • Reviewers are required to maintain confidentiality, conduct an objective evaluation, and disclose any potential conflicts of interest.

Timeline

  • Average time from submission to first decision: 21 days
  • Average time from submission to publication: 54 days

Peer Review Integrity

World Science adheres to the ethical standards set by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and strives to ensure that the peer review process is fair, unbiased, and constructive. The journal values the critical role of peer reviewers in maintaining the quality and credibility of published research.