Peer Review Process

The Creative and Innovative Research Journal (CIRJ) applies a double-blind peer review system to ensure the academic quality, objectivity, and integrity of all published articles. In this process, the identities of authors and reviewers are kept confidential.

1. Manuscript Submission

Authors submit manuscripts through the CIRJ Open Journal Systems (OJS) by completing all required metadata and supporting documents.

Duration: Day 0

2. Initial Editorial Screening

The editor conducts an initial evaluation to assess:

  • Alignment with the journal’s aims and scope

  • Completeness of structure and formatting

  • Similarity (plagiarism) check

  • Compliance with author guidelines

Manuscripts that do not meet the requirements may be rejected or returned to authors for preliminary revision.

Duration: 5–7 days

3. Reviewer Assignment

The editor assigns two reviewers with expertise relevant to the manuscript topic. Author and reviewer identities remain anonymous.

Duration: 3–5 days

4. Peer Review by Reviewers

Reviewers evaluate the manuscript based on:

  • Originality and scholarly contribution

  • Methodological rigor

  • Clarity of analysis and discussion

  • Appropriateness of conclusions and references

Reviewers provide one of the following recommendations:

  • Accept without revision

  • Accept with minor revision

  • Accept with major revision

  • Reject

Duration: 2–4 weeks

5. Initial Editorial Decision

The editor reviews the reviewers’ reports and communicates the initial decision to the authors along with reviewer comments.

Duration: 5–7 days

6. Author Revision

Authors revise the manuscript according to reviewers’ and editor’s comments.

  • Minor revision: 1–2 weeks

  • Major revision: 2–4 weeks

7. Re-review (if required)

Manuscripts undergoing major revision may be sent back to reviewers for further evaluation.

Duration: 1–2 weeks

8. Final Decision

The editor makes the final decision based on the revised manuscript and review results:

  • Accepted

  • Rejected

The editor’s decision is final.

Duration: 3–5 days

9. Copyediting and Publication

Accepted manuscripts proceed to copyediting, layout, and proofreading before publication according to the journal schedule.

Duration: 2–3 weeks

⏱️ Estimated total processing time: approximately 8–12 weeks, depending on reviewer and author responsiveness.