Review Process
All manuscripts submitted to Westcliff International Journal of Applied Research (WIJAR) undergo a rigours three-stage review process to ensure the quality, originality, and relevance of published research
Stage 1: Initial Editorial Review
Upon submission, each manuscript is reviewed by the Associate Editor to verify that it:
- Complies with WIJAR’s submission and formatting requirements
- Meets the journal’s originality and plagiarism standards
- Includes all required submission materials
Manuscripts that do not meet these requirements may be returned to the author for revision before proceeding to the next stage.
Stage 2: Editorial Board Review
Manuscripts that successfully complete the initial review are evaluated by members of the Editorial Board to determine whether they align with the journal’s mission, scope, and publication standards. Manuscripts determined to be outside the scope of the journal or not suitable for publication may be declined at this stage.
Stage 3: Double-blind Peer Review
Manuscripts that pass the Editorial Board review are forwarded for double-blind peer review. In this process, the identified of both authors and reviewers remain confidential to ensure an objective and impartial evaluation. Peer reviewers assess each manuscript based on its originality, methodology, scholarly contribution, significance, organization, and clarity. Reviewer recommendations are considered by the Editorial Board in making the final editorial decision. Following the peer review process, authors will receive one of the following decisions:
Accepted
The manuscript is accepted for publication with only minor editorial revisions, if necessary. It will proceed to final editorial review and production.
Accepted Pending Minor Revisions
The manuscript is suitable for publication provided the author satisfactorily addresses the reviewers’ comments. Once the revised manuscript is received, it will undergo final editorial review.
Accepted Pending Major Revisions
The manuscript demonstrates scholarly merit but requires substantial revisions before it can be considered for publication. Authors will be provided with reviewer feedback and invited to revise and resubmit the manuscript for further editorial evaluation.
Declined
The manuscript is not accepted for publication because it does not meet the journal’s standards for quality, originality, scholarly contribution, or alignment with the journal’s scope.
Revision and Final Decision
Authors receiving Accepted Pending Minor Revisions, or Accepted Pending Major Revisions decisions will receive reviewer comments along with a deadline for submitting a revised manuscript. Upon receipt of the revised manuscript, the Editorial Team will evaluate whether the requested revisions have been satisfactorily addressed before making a final publication decision. Authors can generally expect to receive an editorial decision within approximately seven weeks of the manuscript submission deadline.
