Peer Review Policy

The Journal of Creative Arts (JCA) applies a double-blind peer review process to all manuscripts considered for publication. The identities of authors and reviewers are kept confidential throughout the review process to the extent practicable.

Editorial Assessment

All submissions undergo an initial editorial assessment by the Editor in Chief or a designated editor to determine their relevance to the journal’s aims and scope, originality, scholarly quality and compliance with the journal’s submission requirements. Manuscripts may undergo originality screening using Turnitin or an equivalent service before being sent for peer review.

Peer Review

Manuscripts that satisfy the initial editorial requirements are evaluated by at least ONE independent reviewer with appropriate expertise in the relevant field. Reviewer/s are selected based on subject expertise and their ability to provide objective, impartial and constructive assessments.

The standard peer review process is expected to take approximately 6 to 8 weeks, subject to reviewer availability, manuscript complexity and the time required for revisions or additional review.

Reviewers must maintain the confidentiality of manuscripts and review materials and must disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest. Reviewer reports are considered by the Editor in Chief or designated editor and contribute to the editorial decision and, where appropriate, recommendations for improving the manuscript.

Editorial Decisions

Following peer review, the Editor in Chief may make one of the following decisions:

• Accept
• Accept subject to minor revisions
• Revise and resubmit for further review
• Reject

The Editor in Chief retains responsibility for the final editorial decision. Where revisions are required, authors must respond appropriately to the reviewers’ and editors’ comments. Revised manuscripts may be returned to the original reviewers or evaluated by additional reviewers where necessary.

Confidentiality and Editorial Independence

Manuscripts, reviewer reports and information obtained during the peer review process are treated as confidential. Editors, reviewers and editorial staff must not disclose, use or exploit unpublished information obtained through the review process for personal or professional advantage.

Editorial decisions are based on scholarly merit, originality, methodological rigour, relevance to the journal’s aims and scope and the quality of the peer review process. Decisions are made independently of commercial or financial considerations and are not influenced by an author’s identity, institutional affiliation, nationality, gender or ability to pay.