Peer Review Process
The Sinergi Journal of Governance and Public Policy (SJGP) maintains a stringent peer review procedure to guarantee the excellence and validity of its published research. This process is double-blind, ensuring anonymity for both authors and reviewers. Experts within the appropriate fields undertake the review, judging submissions on their scientific significance, innovation, and relevance to the journal’s aims.
1. Preliminary Assessment
The editorial team initially examines each manuscript to verify if it aligns with the journal's focus and meets publication standards. Manuscripts failing to meet these criteria or showing more than 20% similarity to existing works are immediately rejected. The team also checks for proper formatting and citation style as per the Author Guidelines. Non-compliant manuscripts are returned for correction and resubmission. Successfully vetted manuscripts proceed to the peer review stage.
2. Selection of Reviewers
The editorial board identifies at least two independent reviewers knowledgeable in the manuscript’s subject area and experienced in the relevant research. Reviewers and authors remain unaware of each other’s identity throughout the process. The editorial board ensures reviewers are from different institutions than the authors, considering their scientific expertise and any potential conflicts of interest before extending an invitation to review. The goal is to appoint reviewers within four weeks of submission.
3. Evaluation Process
Reviewers assess the manuscript’s scientific rigor, originality, validity, and pertinence to the field, typically within two weeks. They offer detailed feedback to help authors improve the manuscript and provide a recommendation to accept, revise, or reject the submission.
4. Editorial Decision
The Editor-in-Chief makes the final decision to accept, reject, or request revisions based on the reviewers’ feedback and the manuscript’s compliance with publication standards. If reviewer opinions vary significantly, an additional reviewer may be consulted. The decision, along with anonymized reviewer comments, is communicated to the authors. The editorial team aims to deliver the first decision within one month and publish accepted manuscripts within 4 to 8 weeks of acceptance.
5. Revision Stage
Authors required to revise their manuscripts must address all reviewer suggestions, highlight changes in the revised version, and submit a response letter explaining the revisions. The deadline for resubmission is two weeks for minor revisions and four weeks for major revisions. Manuscripts undergoing major revisions are typically sent back to the original reviewers for re-evaluation.
6. Final Steps to Publication
Once accepted, manuscripts enter the final stage, which includes copyediting, formatting, and proofreading before being published online. Authors may be asked to review and approve the final version (galley proof) prior to publication.
Through this rigorous peer review process, the Sinergi Journal of Governance and Public Policy (SJGP) ensures that all published research upholds the highest standards of academic integrity, relevance, and quality.
