Peer-Review Policy

All JBEM manuscripts are reviewed through double-blind peer review process and the identities of the authors are kept confidential from the reviewers, and vice versa.

To make this possible, anonymous versions of the manuscript are sent to referees. Submitted papers are first considered by the JBEM editors after submission. Papers that do not fall within the scope of JBEM are desk-rejected. In addition, papers that fail to meet a minimum threshold for quality and originality are also rejected without being sent to the reviewers.

Papers passing through this initial editorial scrutiny are then typically sent out to four referees (2 national and two international. If one or more of these turn down the invitation to provide a review, other referees will subsequently be appointed. Normally, at least three authoritative reviews are required before the handling Editor can make a decision to accept, reject, or ask for a revise and resubmit of the submitted paper. Currently, approximately 50% of the manuscripts submitted to JBEM are desk-rejected, about 35% are rejected after peer review, and 15% are eventually accepted (most after being revised once if not twice). The editor is responsible for the final decision regarding acceptance or rejection of articles. The editor's decision is final.