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.
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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