CESTJ follows strict peer review guidelines to ensure the publishing of high-quality, meaningful research. Editorial choices are made exclusively on the intellectual quality of submissions, without regard for the authors’ institutional connections, country, or geographic location.
Review Model
CESTJ applies a single-blind peer review approach. Under this paradigm, reviewers know the authors’ identities and affiliations, but the writers don’t know who the reviewers are. This approach allows reviewers to evaluate the paper in light of the authors’ previous work, resulting in a more informed assessment of novelty and contribution. At the same time, because their identities are known to reviewers, writers must maintain high academic integrity and methodological rigor.
Peer Review Workflow
The peer review process is divided into two main stages:
1. Internal Review
The editorial staff conducts an initial assessment of all papers submitted through the EDAS management system. The first step is to use the Docoloc program to evaluate the manuscript’s textual similarity. Manuscripts with similarity indexes more than 20% are immediately rejected. If the resemblance is less than this criterion, the Editorial Board reviews the report to confirm that ethical publication processes have been followed.
Following the similarity check, the submission is assessed for:
- Alignment with the journal’s scope and thematic focus
- Adherence to scientific writing standards
- Methodological soundness and originality
- Compliance with ethical guidelines
Submissions meeting these criteria are advanced to the external peer review phase.
2. External Review
Papers that pass internal review are sent to at least three independent reviewers who specialize in the manuscript’s subject area. Reviewers have 30 days to examine the paper and must provide full reports, including scores, comments, and supporting evidence, using the EDAS system.
The Editorial Board selects reviewers based on their academic qualifications, peer review experience, and subject matter competence.
Editorial Decision-Making
The Editor-in-Chief makes the final publication decision, guided by reviewers’ recommendations and the scientific and technical soundness of the submission. Outcomes fall into the following categories:
- Accept without revision: The manuscript is approved for publication as submitted.
- Accept with minor revisions: Minor corrections are required; authors are granted 30 days for revision.
- Accept with major revisions (conditional acceptance): Substantial modifications are needed, and a revised version must be submitted within 60 days. Authors may request an extension if justified. In most cases, the revised manuscript is returned to the original reviewers for a second evaluation round.
- Reject (unsuitable for publication): The manuscript is not considered suitable for publication, and significant changes would be required to render it acceptable. Authors may resubmit a substantially revised version as a new submission.
If the reviewers’ response is inconclusive or contradictory, further experts may be engaged to guarantee an objective and correct judgment.
In cases where authors disagree with reviewers’ comments or editorial decisions, they may submit a formal appeal. Appeals must be sent via email to the Editor-in-Chief at ammardakhil@cestj.edu.iq and include:
- A detailed, point-by-point rebuttal to reviewers’ comments
- Justification for reconsideration of the decision
- Supporting evidence, if applicable
Appeals are reviewed in consultation with the Editorial Board to ensure transparency and fairness in the decision-making process.
Role of the Editorial Board
The Editorial Board plays an integral role in managing the peer review process, including:
- Advising on complex or disputed decisions
- Monitoring the integrity and timeliness of reviews
- Recommending additional expert reviewers when necessary
- Supporting the Editor-in-Chief in upholding the journal’s quality standards
CESTJ is devoted to maintaining an efficient, ethical, and high-quality peer review process that promotes scientific growth in electrical and electronic engineering.