Peer Review Process

Peer Review Process / Policy

The corresponding or submitting author submits the paper to the Professional Nursing Update Journal (PNUJ) will be peer-reviewed. The practice of peer review aims to ensure the quality of articles published in this journal. It is an objective process at the heart of good scholarly publishing and is carried out by all reputable scientific journals. The reviewers in our journal play a vital role in maintaining the high standards of the journal.

All manuscripts submitted to PNUJ are peer reviewed using the process outlined below. 

1. Initial manuscript evaluation process

The Editor first evaluates all manuscripts. Manuscripts rejected at this stage are insufficiently original, have serious scientific or are outside the aims and scope of the journal. Those manuscripts that meet the criteria are normally passed on to at least two experts for review.

2. Review process

Type of peer review

PNUJ employs a double-blind review where the authors of the manuscript will remain anonymous throughout the process. The manuscript is reviewed by the reviewers that are assigned based on their expertise.

Reviewer reports

Reviewers are asked to evaluate whether the manuscript:

  • Is original as to thought and method (including data)
  • Is methodologically sound
  • Has results that are clearly presented and support the conclusions
  • Correctly and exhaustively references previous relevant work
  • Follows appropriate ethical guidelines, especially as concerns plagiarism
  • Clearly adds to the knowledge and development of the field

Language correction is not part of the peer-review process, but referees are encouraged to suggest corrections of language and style to the manuscript.

3. Editor’s decision process

Final decision of manuscript (accepted, accepted with minor revision, accepted with major revision, rejected or re-submit) is made by Editor in Chief (together with Editorial Board if required for consideration) based on the reviewers’ critical comments. The editor’s decision is final.  

Final report

A final report of the decision whether to accept or reject the manuscript will be sent to the author along with any recommendations made by the reviewers that may include verbatim comments from the reviewers.