Peer-Review Policy

All BCS manuscripts are reviewed through 'double-blind' peer review process that means 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 BCS Editor after submission. Papers that do not fall within the scope of BCS are 'desk-rejected'. In addition, papers that fail to meet a minimum threshold for quality and originality are also rejected without being sent out 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 needed before the handling Editor can make a decision as to whether to accept, reject, or ask for a 'revise and resubmit' of the submitted paper. Currently, approximately 50% of the manuscripts submitted to BCS 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.

BCS provides professional English editing services exclusively for the accepted manuscripts. These manuscripts are carefully scrutinized by our professional proof-readers who help ensure the accuracy of the paper by resolving any problems with the language to conform to the international standards for journal publications.