Editorial workflow

The editorial workflow every manuscript submitted to the RDME undergoes during the peer-review process is described as follows.

The entire process is carried out using the online Manuscript Tracking System. After a manuscript is submitted to the online system, the manuscript is assessed by the journal’s editorial office to make sure that it is suitable to go through the peer-review process (Technical Check Step). During this step, the manuscript is checked in terms of journal scope, language quality, statistical validation, plagiarism, and novelty. Also, at this stage, the manuscript is sent to the relevant Editors based on the manuscript topic, accessibility of the Editors, and any potential conflicting interest(s) with the submitting authors. If the Editors distinguish that the manuscript does not have an adequate quality or does not match with the Scope of the journal, the manuscript will be rejected with no further processing. If the initial Editorial evaluations are satisfactory, the manuscript is sent to at least 2 external reviewers for peer-review. The peer-review process is double-blinded, meaning that the reviewers do not know the authors of the manuscript and vice versa. This is performed using the online manuscript tracking system by getting the title page (containing full author information) and manuscript file (without any author information). All the process in the manuscript tracking system is followed by email between all involved journal Editors and manuscript authors. Based on the feedback from reviewers, the journal’s editors will give either a recommendation for manuscript publication, along with detailed necessary revisions that should be addressed by the authors to improve the quality of the manuscript before final publication or a written critique of why the manuscript cannot be published.

During the review process, if two of the reviewers recommend rejecting the manuscript, the rejection occurs. In the case that the manuscript requires revisions, the authors are encouraged to prepare and submit a final copy of their manuscript (through the online system) with the necessary changes suggested by the reviewers. The Editor reviews the revised manuscript, and if satisfactory, the manuscript can be accepted; otherwise, it will be rejected.

The aim of this editorial model is to provide fast peer review for each manuscript, and at the same time, to ensure that only those manuscripts that are both rigorous and provide an adequate contribution to the literature are accepted for publication.