Reviewers

Reviewers

Guide for reviewers

This guide for reviewers contains information about basic considerations that should be applied when reviewing a manuscript that has been submitted to Progress in Color, Colorants and Coatings, and about the editorial standards of the journal. Other relevant information about the journal’s aims and scope and editorial policies can be found at guide for authors.

Submitted manuscripts are usually reviewed by two or more experts. Peer reviewers will be asked to recommend whether a manuscript should be accepted, revised or rejected. They should also alert the editors of any issues relating to author misconduct such as plagiarism and unethical behavior.

Publication of research articles by Progress in Color, Colorants and Coatings is dependent primarily on their validity and coherence, as judged by peer reviewers and editors. The reviewers may also be asked whether the writing is comprehensible and how interesting they consider the article to be. Submitted manuscripts will be sent to peer reviewers, unless they are out of scope or below the interest threshold of Progress in Color, Colorants and Coatings, or if the presentation or written English is of an unacceptably low standard.

The invitation

Before you accept or reject, consider the following question:

1- Does the manuscript match your area of expertise? Only accept if you can provide a high quality review.

2- Do you have a potential conflict of interest? Disclose this to the editor when you respond.

3- Do you have time? Reviewing can be a lot of work-before you commit, make sure you can meet the deadline.

Respond to the invitation as soon as you can-delay in your decision show down the review process, whether you agree to review or not. If you reject the invitation, provide suggestions for alternative reviewers.

 Before you start

If you accept, you must treat the materials you receive as confidential documents. This means you can’t share them with anyone without prior authorization from the editor. Since peer review is confidential, you also must not share information about the review with anyone without permission from the editors and authors. First read the article and then take a break from it, giving you time to think. Consider the article from your own perspective.

 

Your review report

Your review will help the editor decide whether or not to publish the article. Giving your overall opinion and general observations of the article is essential. Your comments should be courteous and constructive, and should not include any personal remarks or personal details including your name. Providing insight into any deficiencies is important. You should explain and support your judgment so that both editors and authors are able to fully understand the reasoning behind your comments. You should indicate whether your comments are your own opinion or are reflected by the data.

It is reminded that according to the protocol of the publication, the reviewer's name is secret. Therefore, all comments that could reveal the reviewer's name, such as requests to refer to articles, will be removed.

One question that the reviewer must answer in the manuscript review process is the English level of the article. The answer to this question will help us to make a decision about making editing mandatory and presenting a certificate.

 

 The final decision

The editor ultimately decides whether to accept or reject the article. Publisher plays no part in this decision. The editor will weigh all views and may call for a third opinion or ask the author for a revised paper before making a decision.