NABP Peer Review Process

The peer review process is a fundamental component of ensuring the quality and integrity of scholarly publications. It serves as a mechanism for evaluating the validity, relevance, and originality of submitted manuscripts. North American Business Press has adapted a variation of the Cope guidelines for the peer review process. Below is an overview of the process.

Editorial Oversight

The Editor-in-Chief holds ultimate responsibility for the peer review process. The EIC oversees the assignment of manuscripts to appropriate Associate Editors or Editorial Board members for review and makes final decisions regarding manuscript acceptance, revision, or rejection based on the reviewers' recommendations.

Reviewer Selection

Reviewers are selected based on their expertise, qualifications, and familiarity with the subject matter of the submitted manuscript. They must have relevant academic qualifications, experience in the field, and a commitment to impartial and constructive evaluation.

Reviewer Responsibilities

Reviewers are expected to:

Conduct the review objectively and confidentially, refraining from personal or professional bias.
Evaluate the manuscript's significance, originality, methodology, clarity, and adherence to ethical standards.
Provide detailed, constructive feedback to authors, including suggestions for improvement or revision where necessary.
Disclose any conflicts of interest that may affect their impartiality or objectivity.

Review Process

Upon receiving a manuscript, the Editor-in-Chief assigns it to one or more reviewers with relevant expertise. Reviewers conduct a thorough evaluation of the manuscript and provide their recommendations within a specified timeframe, typically within four to six weeks. We strive to get all papers reviewed in this timeframe, but we cannot guarantee it.

Decision Making

Based on the reviewers' feedback, the Editor makes one of the following decisions:

Acceptance: The manuscript is accepted for publication without revisions or with minor revisions.
Revision: The manuscript requires revisions to address specific concerns raised by the reviewers. Authors are provided with detailed feedback and given an opportunity to revise and resubmit their manuscript.
Rejection: The manuscript does not meet the journal's standards for publication due to significant flaws or deficiencies identified during the peer review process.

Author Notification

Authors are promptly notified of the editorial decision, along with reviewers' comments and recommendations. In the case of revision, authors are provided with clear guidelines for addressing reviewers' concerns and resubmitting their manuscript.

Confidentiality

The peer review process is conducted confidentially to protect the integrity of the review and the anonymity of both authors and reviewers. Reviewers are expected to maintain the confidentiality of manuscripts and refrain from disclosing any information about the review process or manuscript content.

Appeals Process

Authors have the right to appeal editorial decisions if they believe there are procedural errors or unfair treatment during the peer review process. Appeals should be directed to the Editor-in-Chief and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Conflict of Interest

Editors, reviewers, and authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may influence the review process or editorial decisions. Conflicts of interest may include personal, professional, or financial relationships that could bias judgment or compromise objectivity.

The peer review process is essential for maintaining the quality, credibility, and integrity of scholarly publications. The North American Business Press is committed to upholding rigorous standards of peer review to ensure that published research meets the highest academic standards and contributes to the advancement of knowledge in the field of education.

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