JMIR Publications is a reputable publisher that specializes in peer-reviewed journals focusing on digital health and technology. While I can provide a general overview of the editorial oversight process at scholarly journals, please note that specific practices and policies may have changed since then. It is always recommended to refer to the latest information available on the JMIR Publications website or directly contact them for the most up-to-date details.
The editorial oversight process at JMIR Publications typically involves the following steps:
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Submission: Authors submit their manuscripts through the journal's online submission system, adhering to the guidelines and requirements outlined by the journal. (Where/how do I submit my paper to a JMIR journal? )
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Initial Screening: The editorial staff screens the submissions to ensure they meet the basic criteria of the journal, such as scope, originality, impact and adherence to the formatting guidelines. Manuscripts that do not meet these requirements may be returned to the authors without being sent for peer review. If the manuscript does not meet originality/impact requirements for the target journal, editorial staff may - in consultation with the Editor-in-Chief (EiC) - suggest a transfer to other JMIR journals. While we are waiting for the authors' response or querying EiCs, the paper may be transferred to what we call a Transfer Hub. (Why has my article been transferred to another journal (or a transfer has been suggested), and what are my options? )
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Peer Review: Manuscripts that pass the initial screening undergo a rigorous peer review process. Typically, JMIR Publications employs a single-blind peer review system, where the identities of the reviewers are concealed (reviewers are later credited on each published manuscript in case of acceptance). We will not remove author names or affiliations from submitted manuscripts but if authors prefer a double-blind process, they can omit this information from the initially submitted manuscript. The journal assigns knowledgeable experts in the field as peer reviewers who evaluate the manuscript's scientific merit, methodology, clarity, and significance. If authors opt for community review (open review) on submission, we also tweet about the paper inviting reviewers to self-assign themselves. Reviewers may provide comments, suggestions, and recommendations for improvements. (What does the peer-review process at JMIR journals look like?)
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Editorial Decision: Based on the reviewers' feedback, the Editor-in-Chief or Associate Editor makes an initial editorial decision. Possible decisions include acceptance, revision, rejection, or further review by additional experts. The decision is communicated to the authors along with the reviewers' comments and recommendations. If there is a reviewer consensus, we may also send the peer-reviews to the author automatically as soon as at least two are available. We almost never accept manuscripts without any change requests, so do expect the manuscript to go through at least one "R&R" (Revision and Resubmission) round.
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Revision and Resubmission (R&R): If the manuscript requires revisions, the authors are given a specific timeframe to address the reviewers' comments and make necessary changes. Revised manuscripts are typically reevaluated by the original reviewers or (if original reviewers are not available) the editor to ensure the concerns have been adequately addressed. It is generally JMIR policy to avoid assigning new reviewers in subsequent review rounds. (As an author, how do I respond to reviewer comments and upload a revised manuscript (resubmission/revision of a manuscript)? & What happens after I submitted a revised version and my responses to reviewer comments? )
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Acceptance and Copyediting: Once a manuscript is accepted and the Article Processing Charge is paid or covered by the institution, it undergoes a copyediting process to ensure adherence to the journal's style and formatting guidelines. Authors may be asked to review and approve the edited version of their manuscript. (What are the steps during copyediting?)
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Proofreading and Publication: Authors receive proofs of their final article for review and corrections before publication. (What should the author do when proofreading the final galleys?)
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After finalizing the proofs, the manuscript is published online in the relevant journal of JMIR Publications and promoted using our knowledge translation tools.
- If errors are detected post-publication or amendments are required, changes to articles can be made, but only with publishing a corrigendum (We published a paper in JMIR and have a correction. What is the process of publishing a corrigendum?)