Peer Review Process

The Center of Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) employs a double-blind manuscript review process. With a double‐blind review approach, the identity of both the author(s) and the reviewer is unknown to both parties.

All manuscripts submitted for publication in the Center of Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) are first evaluated by the Managing Editor, either individually or in consultation with the Editorial Board member(s), to assess its suitability for the journal in line with the journal's aims and scope. This is an important step to ensure that the content falls within the scope of the journal in terms of quality and/or impact on policy. Manuscripts that do not meet the journal's expected standards are rejected with an explanation of the reasons behind a desk-reject decision. The reviewers are experienced researchers who have published in high-impact-factor SCOPUS journals and are part of the CMES reviewer database. Reviewers are given 14-21 days to provide a detailed report on the manuscript with their recommended decision, which can be either' accept ',' minor revision ',' major revision ', or' reject '. Where reviewer reports are in conflict, the Managing Editor reads the report(s) and the paper, and conveys the final decision to the corresponding author.

When a 'revise' decision is made, authors are given 2–3 months to complete minor revisions and 3–6 months to complete major revisions. When revised papers are submitted, in the case of minor revisions, the Managing Editor reads the paper and the rejoinder and makes a final decision. In the case of a major revision, resubmitted papers are again assigned to reviewers and the editorial decision proceeds from there.

In all cases, regardless of the reviewer recommendation, the final decision on whether or not to publish a paper rests solely with the Managing Editor, who, in making the editorial decision, keeps in mind the scope/aims of the journal.