Editorial Process

Journal: Joining and Corrosion Protection (JCP)

Policy Version: 2.0

Effective Date: August 2026

Editorial Workflow

All submissions to Joining and Corrosion Protection (JCP) undergo an editorial evaluation and independent peer review before publication decisions are made.

The journal follows the workflow outlined below:

Manuscript Submission

                        ↓

Technical and Administrative Check

                       ↓

Handling Editor Initial Screening

                       ↓

Associate Editor Assessment

                       ↓

External Peer Review

                       ↓

Deputy Editor Evaluation

                       ↓

Final Editorial Decision

                       ↓

Production and Publication

1. Manuscript Submission

Authors submit manuscripts through the journal's online submission system.

All submissions must comply with the journal's Author Guidelines and publication policies.

2. Technical and Administrative Check

The Editorial Office performs an initial review to verify:

• completeness of submission files;
• manuscript formatting;
• ethical declarations;
• conflict of interest statements;
• data availability statements;
• plagiarism screening requirements.

Manuscripts may be returned to authors for correction before editorial evaluation.

3. Handling Editor Initial Screening

The Handling Editor manages the editorial workflow and performs an initial screening of submitted manuscripts.

The Handling Editor evaluates:

• completeness of submission materials;
• compliance with journal policies;
• suitability for assignment to an Associate Editor;
• potential conflicts of interest.

The Handling Editor coordinates reviewer invitations, monitors peer-review progress, and facilitates communication among authors, reviewers, and editors.

An Associate Editor performs the initial academic assessment.

The Associate Editor evaluates:

• suitability for the journal scope;
• scientific relevance;
• originality;
• basic methodological quality;
• readiness for peer review.

The Associate Editor may recommend desk rejection when a manuscript clearly falls outside the journal's scope or quality standards.

The Associate Editor also recommends suitable peer reviewers.

4. Associate Editor Assessment

An Associate Editor performs an academic assessment of the manuscript.

The Associate Editor evaluates:

- suitability for the journal scope;
- scientific relevance;
- originality;
- methodological quality;
- potential significance to the research community.

The Associate Editor may recommend desk rejection when a manuscript clearly falls outside the journal scope or does not meet the journal's scientific standards.

The Associate Editor may also suggest suitable reviewers based on subject expertise.

5. External Peer Review

Eligible manuscripts are sent to independent expert reviewers.

The journal operates a Single-Blind Peer Review model:

• reviewers know the identities of authors;
• authors do not know the identities of reviewers.

Normally, at least two independent review reports are obtained. Reviewer selection is coordinated by the Handling Editor in consultation with the Associate Editor when appropriate.

6. Deputy Editor Evaluation

Following peer review, the Deputy Editor evaluates:

• reviewer reports;
• author responses;
• revised manuscripts;
• overall scientific merit.

The Deputy Editor provides an editorial recommendation based on the peer-review process and may request additional reviews, further revisions, or clarification from authors where necessary.

In cases involving conflicts of interest, the manuscript will be reassigned to an independent editor, such as another Editorial Board Member or the Editor-in-Chief, for evaluation and final decision.

7. Final Editorial Decision

Possible decisions include:

• Reject
• Major Revision
• Minor Revision
• Accept

The Deputy Editor provides the final editorial recommendation, and the Editor-in-Chief retains overall responsibility for the final publication decision when required.

8. Production and Publication

Accepted manuscripts enter production, including:

• copyediting;
• typesetting;
• author proof review;
• final publication.

Articles are published online upon completion of production and author approval.

9. Editorial Independence

Editorial decisions are based solely on scientific quality, originality, methodological rigor, and relevance to the journal scope.

Financial considerations, including APC payments or waivers, do not influence editorial decisions.

10. Contact

Questions regarding manuscript processing may be directed to:

Editorial Office

Joining and Corrosion Protection (JCP)

Email: jcp@sunlitpub.com