Manuscripts that pass the initial assessment are assigned to a subject expert in our team of Associate Editors to oversee the review process. All papers are subject to peer review and authors can expect a decision, or an explanation for the delay, within a month of receipt. If a revision is invited, the corresponding author should submit the revised manuscript within 2 weeks. The final decision is taken by one of the senior editors based on the information gained through the peer review process.

Types of decisions: Decline, Resubmit, Revision, Accept 

Decline

Following peer review, the paper is judged not to be acceptable for publication in Fa'lam and resubmission is not possible. 

Resubmit

The submitted version of the paper is not acceptable and requires major revision but there is clear potential in the work and Fa'lam is prepared to consider a new version. Authors are offered the opportunity to resubmit their paper as a new submission. Concerns will remain regarding the suitability of the paper for publication until the editors are convinced by the authors that their paper fits the scope and standards. The resubmitted manuscript will be returned to the original associate editor if at all possible.

Revision

The paper requires changes before a final decision can be made. Authors are asked to modify their manuscript in light of comments received from referees and editors, and to submit a new version for consideration within 2 weeks of receiving the decision letter. A point-by-point explanation of how comments have been addressed must be supplied with the revised version of the paper. Revisions may undergo further peer review and papers may undergo more than one round of revision. If the authors do not revise their papers to the satisfaction of the editors, the paper can still be declined from publication in Fa'lam.

Final acceptance

The paper is acceptable for publication, subject to conditions that need to be addressed in producing a final version of the manuscript. These may include sub-editing changes and a minor amendments to ensure the paper fully matches our criteria. After final checking in the editorial office, acceptance is confirmed and the paper is forwarded to the publishers for publication.