Joining and Corrosion Protection (ISSN Request Pending)
Peer Review Policy and Reviewer Guidelines
Overview
The Journal of Corrosion and Protection (JCP) is committed to maintaining high standards of scientific quality, fairness, and integrity through a rigorous peer review process.
All submitted manuscripts undergo editorial assessment and independent peer review before publication decisions are made.
Peer Review Model
JCP operates a single-blind peer review system.
- Reviewers are aware of the authors' identities.
- Authors are not informed of reviewer identities.
The journal normally obtains at least two independent review reports for each manuscript.
Additional reviewers may be invited when required.
Editorial Workflow
All submissions follow the workflow below:
- Technical and administrative assessment by the Editorial Office.
- Initial screening by an Associate Editor.
- External peer review by independent experts.
- Evaluation of reviewer reports by a Deputy Editor.
- Final editorial decision.
Editorial decisions are based on scientific merit, originality, methodological quality, and relevance to the journal scope.
Responsibilities of Reviewers
Reviewers play a critical role in maintaining the scientific quality of the journal.
Reviewers are expected to:
1. Confidentiality
Treat all manuscripts and review materials as confidential.
Manuscripts must not be shared, discussed, or distributed without permission from the Editorial Office.
2. Timeliness
- Accept or decline review invitations within 5 days.
- Submit review reports within 14 days whenever possible.
Reviewers who require additional time should contact the Editorial Office.
3. Conflict of Interest
Reviewers should disclose any potential conflicts of interest, including:
- financial interests
- institutional relationships
- recent collaborations
- personal relationships
Reviewers with significant conflicts should decline the invitation.
4. Objectivity and Professionalism
Reviews should focus on scientific content rather than the authors.
Comments should be constructive, professional, and respectful.
Personal criticism or inappropriate language is not acceptable.
Evaluation Criteria
Reviewers are encouraged to evaluate manuscripts according to the following criteria:
| Criterion | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Significance | Is the work novel, important, and relevant to the field of corrosion, protection, joining, or welding? |
| Methodology | Are the methods scientifically sound, appropriate, and reproducible? |
| Results and Conclusions | Do the data adequately support the conclusions? Are limitations discussed appropriately? |
| Clarity | Is the manuscript clearly written and logically organised? |
| References | Does the manuscript appropriately acknowledge relevant prior research? |
Preparing a Review Report
Review reports should normally include:
1. Summary
A brief overview of the manuscript and its contribution.
2. Major Comments
Comments addressing scientific validity, methodology, interpretation, or substantial revisions required.
3. Minor Comments
Suggestions related to presentation, language, formatting, figures, tables, or references.
4. Recommendation to the Editor
Reviewers may recommend:
- Accept
- Minor Revision
- Major Revision
- Reject
Final publication decisions remain the responsibility of the journal editors.
Ethical Expectations
Reviewers should not:
- use unpublished information for personal advantage;
- contact authors directly regarding submitted manuscripts;
- delegate reviews without prior permission;
- use AI systems in a manner that compromises manuscript confidentiality.
Reviewers must comply with applicable publication ethics standards throughout the review process.
Reviewer Recognition
JCP values the contributions of peer reviewers.
Reviewers may receive:
- Reviewer Certificates
- Annual Outstanding Reviewer Awards
- Recognition on the journal website (with consent)
- Consideration for future Editorial Board appointments
Review activity may also be claimed through ORCID or other recognised reviewer recognition services where available.
Additional Resources
Reviewers are encouraged to consult:
- COPE Ethical Guidelines for Peer Reviewers
- Journal Publication Ethics Policy
- Journal Conflict of Interest Policy
Contact
For technical or review-related assistance, please contact:
Editorial Office jcp@sunlitpub.com
