ASM Science Journal operates a double-blind review process in which the author is uninformed of the reviewer’s identity, and the reviewer is unaware of the author’s identity. This is to ensure unbiased review and recommendations from the reviewer.
All articles will be initially assessed by the Journal Manager in terms of scope and formatting. Then the articles will be assessed by the Section Editors for suitability for ASM Science Journal. Articles deemed suitable are then sent to a minimum of three independent expert reviewers to evaluate the scientific quality of the articles, which, at least two reviewers must evaluate the article. In the event of conflicting decisions from the reviewers, the editors will make a decision to resent the manuscript to a third reviewer.
The Editorial staff or Editorial Board members, or Section Editors will suggest qualified reviewers from our database or new reviewers identified from the network or web searches. The authors have the option of recommending potential reviewers, and the Editorial staff will review the suggestion to ensure that there will be no conflict of interest. Reviewers are selected based on expertise, reputation, and specific recommendations.
In general, reviewers are provided 1 week to respond to either accept or decline the peer review invitation. Upon acceptance, reviewers have 2 weeks to submit their review. Extensions can be granted on request.
The reviewers will make their recommendations for the articles based on the following possibilities:
- Accept, with or without editorial revisions
- Revision to the manuscript before a final decision is reached
- Resubmit for another round of review
- Reject, and resubmit elsewhere
- Decline submission
Manuscripts returned to authors for revision should be resubmitted within the deadline given, as suggested by the Editorial staff, depending on the severity of the revision required; otherwise, the manuscript may be considered as withdrawn. The deadline for the resubmission of the revised manuscript could be extended upon request to the Editor. Revised versions of manuscripts may or may not be sent to reviewers, depending on the reviewer’s request.
The Editor-in-Chief is responsible for the final decision regarding the acceptance or rejection of articles. The Editor-in-Chief’s decision is final.
Upon acceptance, the article will be proceeded to the production process to prepare the manuscript for online publication. The Journal Manager will be working closely with the corresponding author, who will function as the focal point and represents all authors during the entire process, from submission to proofreading of the galley.