EP Journals Group operates a structured editorial workflow designed to maintain scholarly rigour while ensuring efficient processing of submitted manuscripts. Each stage of the process is governed by defined timelines, enabling authors to anticipate the progression of their submission from receipt to publication.
The workflow described below applies to all journals within the EP Journals Group portfolio. While the organisation is committed to timely processing, quality and integrity are not subordinated to speed. Every manuscript receives thorough editorial assessment and independent peer review before a publication decision is reached.
Workflow Timeline Overview
Initial Screening
Within 2 Days
Peer Review
1–2 Weeks
Editorial Decision
Immediate After Review
Publication
Within 24 Hours After APC
Initial Screening
Within 2 Days
Upon receipt, each manuscript is assessed by the editorial office for completeness, formatting compliance, and relevance to the journal's scope. Submissions that do not meet minimum requirements are returned to the author with guidance. Manuscripts passing this stage are registered and assigned to a handling editor for peer review assignment.
- •Verification of author declarations and conflict-of-interest disclosures
- •Preliminary plagiarism and integrity screening
- •Confirmation of formatting against journal-specific Author Guidelines
- •Assignment of manuscript tracking reference number
Peer Review
1–2 Weeks
Manuscripts that pass initial screening are assigned to a minimum of two independent reviewers with relevant subject expertise. EP Journals Group employs a double-blind peer review model to ensure objectivity. Reviewers evaluate originality, methodological soundness, significance of contribution, and clarity of presentation.
- •Double-blind review: identities of authors and reviewers are withheld
- •Minimum of two independent reviewers per manuscript
- •Structured evaluation criteria provided to all reviewers
- •Authors may be invited to revise and resubmit based on reviewer feedback
Editorial Decision
Immediate After Review
Following receipt of all reviewer reports, the handling editor reaches a final decision. Possible outcomes include acceptance, minor revision, major revision, or rejection. Decisions are based exclusively on scholarly merit and adherence to ethical standards. Authors are notified promptly with the decision and full reviewer comments.
- •Decision categories: Accept, Minor Revisions, Major Revisions, Reject
- •All decisions accompanied by detailed reviewer feedback
- •No commercial or non-academic considerations influence editorial decisions
- •Revised manuscripts may undergo additional review where required
Publication
Within 24 Hours After APC
Upon acceptance and completion of the Article Processing Charge, manuscripts proceed immediately to production. Articles undergo professional copyediting and typesetting. Each article is assigned a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) through CrossRef and published online under open access terms (CC BY 4.0). Published articles are indexed across Google Scholar, Crossref, OpenAIRE, Zenodo, and other academic platforms.
- •Professional copyediting and typesetting included
- •DOI assignment via CrossRef for permanent citation
- •Immediate open access under CC BY 4.0 licence
- •Indexed in Google Scholar, Crossref, OpenAIRE, Zenodo, Index Copernicus, and Scilit
Timeline Commitments
Initial Screening
Completed within 2 working days of submission
Peer Review
1–2 weeks from assignment to reviewer reports
Editorial Decision
Issued immediately upon receipt of reviewer reports
Publication
Within 24 hours following APC confirmation
Timelines are institutional commitments and may vary in exceptional circumstances, such as manuscripts requiring additional ethical review or specialist referee input. Authors are kept informed of progress throughout the process.
Submission Requirements
Authors preparing manuscripts for submission to any EP Journals Group publication should ensure compliance with the following:
- •Manuscripts must be original work not previously published or under consideration elsewhere.
- •All authors must have made substantive intellectual contributions and approved the final version.
- •Submissions should follow the formatting guidelines specified in the Author Guidelines.
- •Conflict of interest and funding declarations must be included.
- •Manuscripts must be submitted in PDF, DOC, or DOCX format through the online submission portal.
For complete submission requirements, please consult the Author Guidelines or proceed to Submit Manuscript.
Post-Publication Procedures
Published articles are permanently archived and assigned a DOI through CrossRef. Authors retain copyright under the CC BY 4.0 licence and are encouraged to deposit copies in institutional repositories and subject-specific archives to maximise dissemination.
Where errors are identified after publication, the organisation follows documented procedures for issuing corrections, errata, or retractions in accordance with COPE guidelines. The integrity of the scholarly record is maintained through transparent post-publication governance.
Authors may direct post-publication enquiries to the editorial office at editor@ep-journals.org.
Quality Assurance & Integrity Controls
EP Journals Group applies integrity controls at every stage of the publication process. Submissions undergo plagiarism screening during the initial assessment phase. Peer reviewers are selected based on demonstrated expertise and are required to declare any conflicts of interest. Editorial decisions are documented and auditable.
The organisation maintains compliance with COPE principles and publishes documented policies on publication ethics, research integrity, and editorial governance. These policies are reviewed periodically and updated to reflect evolving standards in scholarly publishing.
For detailed policy documentation, see the Policy Index.