Peer Review Process

TRANSFORMA: Journal of Community Innovation and Transformation employs a Double-Blind Peer Review process to ensure the quality, originality, validity, and relevance of every manuscript submitted for publication. In this review model, the identities of both authors and reviewers remain anonymous throughout the review process.

Each manuscript undergoes a rigorous editorial and peer-review procedure as follows:

1. Initial Submission

Authors submit their manuscripts through the journal's online submission system. The submission must comply with the journal's Author Guidelines, manuscript template, and submission requirements.

2. Preliminary Editorial Assessment

The Editorial Office conducts an initial screening to evaluate:

  • Compliance with the journal's aims and scope.
  • Completeness of submission documents.
  • Adherence to formatting and writing guidelines.
  • Originality of the manuscript.
  • Basic academic quality and suitability for peer review.

Manuscripts that do not meet these requirements may be returned to the authors for revision or rejected before peer review.

3. Similarity Check

All manuscripts are screened using plagiarism detection software before entering the peer-review stage. Manuscripts with indications of plagiarism, excessive similarity, or unethical publication practices may be rejected or returned for clarification.

4. Double-Blind Peer Review

Eligible manuscripts are assigned to at least two independent reviewers with expertise relevant to the manuscript's subject area.

Reviewers evaluate the manuscript based on several criteria, including:

  • Originality and innovation
  • Relevance to community service and societal impact
  • Methodology and implementation
  • Clarity of presentation
  • Quality of analysis and discussion
  • Practical contribution
  • Overall scientific merit

The identities of both authors and reviewers remain confidential during this process.

5. Editorial Decision

Based on the reviewers' recommendations, the Editor may decide to:

  • Accept without revision
  • Accept with minor revisions
  • Request major revisions
  • Reject the manuscript

The final publication decision rests solely with the Editor.

6. Revision Stage

Authors receiving revision requests are expected to revise their manuscripts carefully and submit a detailed response explaining how each reviewer comment has been addressed.

Revised manuscripts may be returned to the original reviewers for further evaluation when necessary.

7. Final Acceptance

After all reviewer comments have been satisfactorily addressed, the Editor issues the final acceptance decision.

Accepted manuscripts proceed to copyediting, proofreading, layout editing, and final publication.

8. Publication

The final version of the manuscript is published online as an Open Access article and becomes permanently available through the journal's website.

Ethical Principles of Peer Review

Reviewers are expected to:

  • Conduct reviews objectively, fairly, and professionally.
  • Maintain the confidentiality of all manuscripts.
  • Declare any conflicts of interest before accepting a review assignment.
  • Provide constructive comments supported by academic arguments.
  • Complete the review within the requested timeframe.

Editors reserve the right to replace reviewers who fail to meet ethical or professional standards.

Confidentiality

All manuscripts submitted to TRANSFORMA are treated as confidential documents. Editors and reviewers may not disclose, distribute, or use unpublished materials for personal or professional advantage without the authors' written permission.

Conflict of Interest

Editors and reviewers must disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest that could influence the review process. Individuals with conflicts of interest will not participate in the editorial evaluation of the manuscript.

Review Timeline

TRANSFORMA strives to provide authors with an efficient and timely review process. The average editorial timeline is as follows:

  • Initial editorial screening: 3–7 working days
  • Peer review process: 2–4 weeks
  • Author revision: 1–3 weeks
  • Final editorial decision: within 7 working days after revision

The overall publication timeline may vary depending on the quality of the submission, the responsiveness of reviewers and authors, and the complexity of the revision process.

The peer-review process at TRANSFORMA is designed to ensure fairness, academic integrity, transparency, and the publication of high-quality community service articles that make meaningful contributions to society.