Review Timeline
ACDM Journal · Transparent & Efficient Peer Review
ACDM is committed to providing authors with a timely and transparent review process. The following timeline outlines the typical stages from submission to final decision. Actual times may vary depending on reviewer availability and manuscript complexity.
Key commitment: First decision within 4–6 weeks · Continuous improvement to reduce waiting times.
1. Three-Tier Review Process
| Stage | Description | Expected Time |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Review (初审) | Editorial team checks scope, formatting, plagiarism, and ethical compliance. Manuscripts that do not meet basic criteria are rejected without external review. | 3–5 business days |
| External Peer Review (外审) | Double‑blind review by at least two independent experts. Reviewers are given 3 weeks to submit their reports. | 4–6 weeks |
| Editorial Decision (终审) | Editor‑in‑Chief evaluates reviewer reports and makes final decision: Accept, Minor Revision, Major Revision, or Reject. | Within 2 weeks after receiving reviews |
2. Detailed Stage Breakdown
- Submission: Author submits via OJS. System generates automatic confirmation.
- Technical Check: Editorial staff verify file formats, completeness of metadata, and adherence to journal policies.
- Editorial Pre‑screening: Editor assesses novelty, relevance, and overall quality. Desk rejection may occur at this stage.
- Reviewer Invitation: Editor invites 2–4 potential reviewers. The clock starts when at least two accept.
- Peer Review: Reviewers submit confidential comments and recommendations. Reminders are sent after 2 weeks.
- Decision Formulation: Editor synthesizes reviews and issues decision with clear instructions for revision or rejection.
- Author Revision: If major/minor revision, authors have 30/14 days to resubmit with a point‑by‑point response.
- Final Decision & Publication: After satisfactory revision, the manuscript is accepted and sent to production. Online publication occurs within 2–3 weeks with a DOI.
3. Summary of Key Deadlines
| Milestone | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Acknowledgement of receipt | Within 48 hours |
| Initial check result | 3–5 business days |
| First decision (after peer review) | 4–6 weeks |
| Minor revision resubmission | Within 14 days |
| Major revision resubmission | Within 30 days |
| Production to online publication | 2–3 weeks |
4. Appeals Process
If an author believes a decision was based on factual error or misinterpretation, they may appeal in writing to the Editor‑in‑Chief within 30 days of the decision. The appeal will be reviewed by an independent ombudsperson, and a final response will be provided within 4 weeks.
5. Contact Editorial Office
For questions about the review timeline or to check the status of a manuscript, please contact: