Last updated: May 2026 · 5 min read · Audience: Authors, students, early-career researchers · Reading level: Introductory
Key points
- In double-blind review, reviewers do not know who wrote the manuscript and authors do not know who reviewed it.
- The goal is to reduce identity-based bias — institutional prestige, gender, nationality, or career stage should not influence the review outcome.
- All EP Journals Group journals operate double-blind peer review with two independent reviewers per article.
- Authors must anonymise their manuscript before submission: remove names, affiliations, acknowledgements, and self-citations that reveal identity.
- Review typically takes 1–2 weeks at EP Journals Group after initial editorial screening.
The four peer review models
| Model | Authors know reviewer? | Reviewers know author? |
|---|---|---|
| Single-blind | No | Yes |
| Double-blind | No | No |
| Open review | Yes | Yes |
| Post-publication review | Yes | Yes |
Why double-blind review reduces bias
Research on peer review consistently shows that author identity influences reviewer scores. A manuscript from a prestigious institution tends to receive more favourable treatment. Double-blind review is the most practical mechanism to counteract this.
How to anonymise your manuscript
- Remove your name, co-authors names, and institutional affiliations from the title page, header, and footer.
- Replace self-citations with [Author, year] or [Reference removed for review].
- Remove acknowledgements or funding disclosures that name your institution or grant.
- Check figure captions, data file names, and supplementary materials for identifying information.
- Remove identifying metadata from Word or PDF file properties.
Double-blind review at EP Journals Group
Every manuscript undergoes initial editorial screening within 2 working days. Manuscripts are then assigned to two independent external reviewers. Full review typically takes 1–2 weeks. Authors receive reviewer comments regardless of the outcome.
Frequently asked questions
Related reading and next steps
Editorial enquiries
Questions about this guide or about preparing a manuscript for submission may be directed to the editorial office. Where a query relates to a specific journal in the portfolio, please indicate the journal abbreviation in your message.
Email: editor@ep-journals.org