Peer Review Process

• Double-Blind Review

Omo International Journal of Sciences follows a double-blind review policy to ensure neutral and unbiased evaluation. During this process, both the authors and reviewers remain anonymous to each other, promoting objectivity.

• Initial Communication

Authors will receive an acknowledgement of submission, and initial communication regarding the status of their manuscript will be sent within 7 days of submission.

• Review Period

The peer review process will typically take 8 to 12 weeks, depending on reviewer availability. Authors will be informed promptly if there are any delays or changes to the timeline.

• Editorial Oversight:

The overall editorial leadership and responsibility for the review process rest with the journal Editorial Board, with the Editor-in-Chief taking primary responsibility for overseeing the process and ensuring consistency, fairness, and integrity.

Review Process Steps:

1. Initial Assessment

Upon receipt of a manuscript, the editors perform a general assessment to determine its quality and fit within the scope of the journal. This step ensures that the manuscript aligns with the journal’s academic standards and thematic focus.

2. Referral to Co-editor-in-Chief

If the manuscript passes the initial assessment, it is forwarded to one or more Co-editor-in-Chief. These editors provide recommendations and suggest potential expert reviewers (referees). Typically, each manuscript is reviewed by two independent referees.

3. Review Guidelines

Referees follow a set of standardized guidelines provided by the journal. These guidelines outline the key criteria for evaluation, including the manuscript's originality, methodological rigour, clarity of writing, relevance to the field, and contribution to the scientific community.

4. Decision Based on Reviews

After receiving the reviews, the editors will make one of the following decisions:

• Accept: The manuscript is suitable for publication with minor or no revisions.
• Minor Revision: The manuscript requires minor changes before it can be accepted. Authors are expected to make the requested revisions and resubmit the manuscript for final approval.
• Major Revision: Significant changes are required. The manuscript will be sent for a second round of review after revisions are made.
• Reject: The manuscript is deemed unsuitable for publication in its current form due to quality concerns or lack of fit with the journal’s scope.

5. Final Version Preparation

Once a manuscript is accepted, the Managing Editor collaborates with an English-language editor to prepare the final version, ensuring clarity, consistency, and adherence to the journal's formatting and language standards.

6. Progress Tracking

Authors will be able to track the progress of their manuscript throughout the review process. The journal provides an online system that allows authors to monitor the status of their submission, from initial submission through peer review to final acceptance.

7. Post-Review Communication

After the review, the editorial team will send detailed feedback to the authors, including the referees' comments and the editor's decision. Authors are expected to address all feedback thoroughly during the revision process. Any further clarifications or responses to reviewer comments should be documented.

8. Ethical Compliance

All manuscripts must comply with ethical research standards. In cases where ethical approval (for human or animal studies) is required, authors must provide documentation of approval from an appropriate ethics review board or committee. Non-compliance with ethical guidelines will lead to rejection of the manuscript.

9. Conflict of Interest

Reviewers and authors are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest. The journal ensures that any financial, personal, or professional relationships that might influence the peer review process are transparent and handled according to ethical standards.

10. Corrections and Retractions

In case of significant post-publication issues (e.g., errors or ethical concerns), the journal has a process for correcting or retracting articles. Authors or readers can request corrections if mistakes or inconsistencies are identified after publication.