All submissions are initially assessed for suitability by the Editorial Office. After the initial assessment, submissions are double-blind peer-reviewed by a minimum of two independent, anonymous expert referees and recommendations made to the assigned Associate Editor, who then makes a recommendation to the Editor-in-Chief for a decision. Find out more about what to expect during peer review here

All research articles in the journal are peer-reviewed. No person is permitted to take any role in the peer-review of a paper in which they have an interest, defined as follows: fees or grants from, employment by, consultancy for, shared ownership in, or any close relationship with, an organisation whose interests, financial or otherwise, may be affected by the publication of the paper.

The editorial assessment of papers authored and submitted by the journal Editor or Editorial Board members will be handled by Editors unaffiliated with the author or institution, and monitored carefully to ensure there is no peer review bias.