Configuring Your Peer Review Workflow
ScholarJMS supports single-blind, double-blind, and open peer review. This guide explains how to configure reviewer assignment, review deadlines, reminder emails, and decision workflows so your editorial team can manage reviews efficiently.
Peer Review in ScholarJMS
ScholarJMS implements a configurable editorial workflow where editors assign reviewers, track review progress, and record decisions — all within a single interface. Authors receive automated notifications at each stage, and all communication is logged in the submission record.
Setting the Review Type
Go to Journal Settings → Peer Review → Review Type and select one of three modes:
Double-Blind (Default)
Reviewer and author identities are hidden from each other. ScholarJMS automatically strips author metadata from the document cover page visible to reviewers.
Single-Blind
Reviewer identity is hidden; the author is known to the reviewer. Reviewer names are not disclosed to authors in correspondence.
Open Review
Both identities are disclosed throughout the process. Review reports can optionally be published alongside the article.
Assigning Reviewers
From the submission record, click Assign Reviewer. You can:
- Search the reviewer database by name, institution, or research keyword
- Import external reviewers by entering their email (they receive an invitation and can register if they are new)
- Set a review deadline (default from settings, overridable per assignment)
- Add a personal note to the reviewer invitation email
Best practice: Assign 2–3 reviewers per submission. ScholarJMS flags submissions where fewer than two reviews have been received by the deadline.
Automated Reminders
Under Journal Settings → Email Notifications, configure automated reminders:
Reviewer Reminders
Sent 7 days and 2 days before the review deadline. A final overdue notice fires 1 day after the deadline.
Author Status Updates
Automatic notifications when a submission enters review, when a revision is requested, and when a final decision is made.
Recording Decisions
Once reviews are in, open the submission and click Make Decision. Available decisions:
Accept
Minor Revisions
Major Revisions
Reject
Each decision triggers a customizable email to the author. Decision letters and review reports are archived permanently in the submission record.
Tip: Use the Editorial Report under Analytics to track average review turnaround time and reviewer response rate per issue.