Editorial Workflow

PAJE's Editorial Workflow

Every manuscript passes through the following sequential stages. The Managing Editor is responsible for moving each submission through these stages on schedule.

Stage 1 — Submission Received (Day 0)

  • Author submits manuscript through PAJE's online portal 
  • Managing Editor acknowledges receipt within 48 hours

Stage 2 — Initial Screening (Days 1–7)

  • Managing Editor conducts desk review for scope, format, ethics, and minimum quality
  • Manuscript is either: returned for revision before review, desk-rejected with reasoned letter, or forwarded to a Section Editor

Stage 3 — Section Editor Assignment (Days 7–10)

  • Manuscript routed to the appropriate Section Editor
  • Section Editor confirms acceptance of the assignment within 5 working days

Stage 4 — Reviewer Invitation (Days 10–21)

  • Section Editor invites a minimum of two qualified reviewers
  • Target reviewer response time: 7 working days to accept or decline
  • If declined, invite a replacement within 48 hours

Stage 5 — Peer Review (Days 21–56)

  • Reviewers given four weeks to submit reports
  • Section Editor monitors and sends reminders at the 2-week and 3-week marks
  • If a reviewer fails to deliver, a replacement is invited

Stage 6 — Editorial Decision (Days 56–70)

  • Section Editor synthesises reviews and makes a recommendation
  • EIC reviews the recommendation and issues the decision letter
  • Possible decisions: Accept, Minor Revision, Major Revision, Reject and Resubmit, Reject

Stage 7 — Revision (variable; typically 4–8 weeks)

  • Author resubmits with a point-by-point response to reviewers
  • Section Editor verifies that revisions are adequate
  • A second round of review is conducted only when substantive new claims have been introduced

Stage 8 — Acceptance and Production (post-acceptance)

  • Copy Editor produces a clean version
  • Author proofs the galley
  • Article assigned to an issue and published online

Target time from submission to first decision: 10 weeks (70 days). Target time from submission to publication: 6 months.