For authors and reviewers

Peer review process

BJIM uses double-blind peer review: reviewers do not know who wrote the manuscript, and authors do not know who reviewed it. Every step below happens in the journal portal, so authors can follow their manuscript from their dashboard.

1. 1

   Submission

   Author

   • The author submits the manuscript through the portal and receives a tracking code by email.
   • If the file is a Word .docx, the portal makes an anonymised copy for reviewers: it removes author names from the document properties, headers, footers, comments and tracked changes.
2. 2

   Handling editor

   Editor-in-Chief

   • Each manuscript is given a handling editor. A section editor who covers the manuscript’s section is assigned automatically; otherwise the Editor-in-Chief assigns one.
   • Editors never handle their own submissions.
3. 3

   Editorial screening

   Handling editor

   • The editor checks that the manuscript fits the journal’s scope, follows the submission guidelines and is properly anonymised, and reads the plagiarism report.
   • A manuscript that fails screening is rejected without review (a desk rejection). The author receives a letter explaining why.
4. 4

   Reviewer invitations

   Handling editor

   • The editor invites at least 2 reviewers with expertise in the topic. Anyone listed as an author, or the person who submitted the manuscript, cannot be invited.
   • Reviewers see only the title, abstract and keywords before they decide. They accept or decline the invitation; the editor replaces anyone who declines.
5. 5

   Double-blind review

   Reviewers

   • Reviewers who accept can download the anonymised manuscript. They are usually given 21 days.
   • Each reviewer rates five criteria from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent): originality and contribution, methodology and rigour, significance and relevance, clarity and structure, and literature and references.
   • They recommend accept, minor revisions, major revisions or reject, and write comments for the author. They can also send confidential comments to the editor and attach an annotated copy of the manuscript.
6. 6

   Decision

   Handling editor

   • Once at least 2 reviews are in, the editor makes a decision: accept, minor revisions, major revisions or reject. The reviewers advise; the editor decides.
   • Only the Editor-in-Chief can decide with fewer reviews, and the reason is recorded.
   • The author receives a decision letter with the reviewers’ comments, labelled Reviewer 1, Reviewer 2 and so on. Reviewers’ names and confidential comments are never shared.
7. 7

   Revision

   Author, then reviewers

   • When revisions are requested, the author uploads a revised manuscript and, ideally, a response to reviewers that explains each change. Both are anonymised.
   • The revised version returns to the editor and starts a new review round. The editor normally invites the same reviewers again, with 14 days to respond. They see their earlier review and the author’s response.
   • A manuscript can go through more than one round until the editor accepts or rejects it.
8. 8

   Copyediting and proof

   Editor and author

   • An accepted manuscript is copyedited. The author receives a proof and either approves it or sends corrections, until the proof is approved.
9. 9

   Publication

   Editors

   • The editor uploads the final PDF and places the article in an issue with its page numbers. The article is given a DOI.
   • When the issue is published, the article appears on this website, free to read, and the author is notified.

Questions about a decision can go to the editorial office at bjim@buk.edu.ng. See also the submission guidelines, the plagiarism policy and the FAQ.