Peer Review Process

At the Journal of Cyber Security and Web Service Exploration (JOSWEX), we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic publishing by ensuring that all manuscripts undergo a rigorous and transparent peer review process. Our peer review system follows a double-blind process, where both the identities of the reviewers and the authors are concealed throughout the review to promote fairness and unbiased evaluation.

1. Initial Submission and Evaluation

Once a manuscript is submitted, it is first reviewed by the editorial team to ensure that it fits within the scope and aims of the journal. At this stage, manuscripts are checked for compliance with submission guidelines, formatting requirements, and basic quality standards. Submissions that do not meet these criteria may be returned to the authors for revision or rejected outright.

2. Peer Review Assignment

Manuscripts that pass the initial evaluation are then assigned to at least two independent expert reviewers. Reviewers are selected based on their expertise in the relevant area of research. Each reviewer is invited to assess the manuscript on the following criteria:

Originality and significance of the research
Clarity and coherence of the writing
Methodological soundness and validity of data
Contribution to the field of cyber security and web services
Ethical considerations in research and publication

3. Double-Blind Review Process

During the double-blind review process, the reviewers are unaware of the identities of the authors, and the authors do not know who the reviewers are. This anonymity is designed to promote objective and impartial evaluations, free from potential biases.

Reviewers are given 4-6 weeks to submit their reports. Their recommendations may include:

Accept: The manuscript is of high quality and ready for publication with minor or no revisions.
Minor Revisions: The manuscript requires some improvements but is fundamentally sound.
Major Revisions: The manuscript has potential but needs significant revision before it can be reconsidered.
Reject: The manuscript does not meet the necessary standards for publication in the journal.

4. Editorial Decision

Once the reviewers submit their evaluations, the editorial team makes a decision based on the feedback provided. The possible decisions include:

Accept: The manuscript is accepted for publication.
Revision Required: The authors are asked to revise the manuscript in response to reviewer comments. Depending on the nature of the revisions, the manuscript may undergo another round of review.
Reject: The manuscript is not suitable for publication in its current form.

5. Author Revisions

If revisions are required, authors are given a set timeframe (usually 2-4 weeks) to submit a revised version of their manuscript. Authors must address all comments and suggestions made by the reviewers and provide a detailed explanation of the changes made.

6. Final Decision and Publication

After the revised manuscript is submitted, the editorial team may choose to send it back to the original reviewers or make a final decision based on the revisions. If the manuscript is accepted, it moves into the production stage and is prepared for publication in the next available issue of JOSWEX.

7. Appeals and Re-Submissions

In rare cases, authors may appeal a decision if they believe there has been a misunderstanding or error in the review process. Appeals must be made in writing to the editor-in-chief, who will review the case and may seek additional opinions from other reviewers. Resubmissions are only considered if significant improvements have been made to the manuscript.

8. Ethical Standards

JOSWEX is dedicated to upholding the ethical standards outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). We require all reviewers and authors to adhere to these principles to ensure the integrity of the research published in the journal. Plagiarism, data fabrication, and conflicts of interest are taken very seriously, and any breaches may result in rejection or retraction of the manuscript.