Peer Review Process
ACDM Journal · Double‑anonymized · Rigorous & Fair
ACDM Journal is committed to a rigorous, transparent, and fair peer review process. All submitted manuscripts undergo a double‑anonymized review to ensure the highest academic quality and ethical standards.
Key features: Double‑anonymized review · At least two independent experts · 4–6 weeks to first decision · Full ethical oversight.
1. Overview of Review Stages
| Stage | Description | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Check | Scope, formatting, and ethics compliance (plagiarism, duplicate submission). | 3–5 business days |
| Peer Review | Double‑anonymized review by at least two external experts. | 4–6 weeks |
| Editorial Decision | Editor‑in‑Chief makes final decision based on reviewer reports. | Within 2 weeks after review |
| Revision & Resubmission | Authors revise and provide a point‑by‑point response. | 30 days (major) / 14 days (minor) |
| Final Production | Copyediting, typesetting, proofreading, online publication with DOI. | 2–3 weeks after acceptance |
2. Review Type & Principles
This journal uses double‑anonymized peer review. The identities of authors and reviewers are concealed from each other throughout the review process. Reviewers are selected based on their expertise and absence of conflict of interest.
Reviewers evaluate manuscripts against the following criteria:
- Originality and significance of the contribution
- Soundness of methodology and data analysis
- Clarity, quality, and accessibility of presentation
- Relevance to the journal’s scope and readership
- Ethical compliance (informed consent, animal welfare, data integrity)
3. Possible Decisions
| Decision | Description | Next Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Accept as is | Manuscript meets all criteria without any changes. | Proceed to production. |
| Minor revision | Small corrections or clarifications needed. | 14 days to submit; typically no re‑review. |
| Major revision | Substantial changes required; re‑review likely. | 30 days to resubmit with response letter. |
| Reject | Manuscript is not suitable for the journal. | No resubmission allowed; may transfer to another journal. |
Ethical safeguards: All submissions are screened for plagiarism (iThenticate). Any suspected misconduct (data fabrication, citation manipulation) is investigated following COPE guidelines.
4. Responsibilities of Reviewers
- Treat manuscripts as confidential documents.
- Declare any conflicts of interest immediately.
- Provide constructive, respectful, and unbiased feedback.
- Complete reviews within the agreed timeframe (typically 3 weeks).
- Not use any part of the manuscript before publication.
If you are interested in becoming a reviewer for ACDM Journal, please register via our submission system or contact the editorial office.
Download Reviewer Guidelines (PDF)
5. Appeals and Complaints
Authors may appeal an editorial decision if they believe a substantial error was made. Appeals should be submitted within 30 days of the decision letter, providing a clear rationale and new evidence (if any). The appeal will be handled by the Editor‑in‑Chief or an assigned ombudsperson, and a final decision will be communicated within 4 weeks.
To submit an appeal, email acdm@starnexus.press with the subject line “Appeal – Manuscript ID [XXXX]”.
6. Contact Editorial Office
For questions about the peer review process, reviewer invitations, or special circumstances, please contact: