Peer Review Process
The purpose of the peer review process is to ensure the publication of high-quality and original scientific studies. All articles published in the Journal of ACTA Sport Sciences (JACTASS) are peer-reviewed, and every manuscript submitted for publication undergoes the review process outlined below.
Pre-Evaluation
All submissions to the journal are first subjected to a preliminary evaluation by the Editor and the Editorial Board. Manuscripts that fall outside the journal’s scope or do not meet the scientific writing format in terms of content and structure are either rejected before the peer review stage or returned to the author(s) for revision. At this stage, no article can be accepted for publication by the editor without a positive peer review.
Peer Review
JACTASS employs a double-blind peer review system, in which the identities of both reviewers and authors are kept confidential throughout the review process.
Manuscripts that pass the preliminary evaluation are sent to two reviewers appointed by the editor and/or editorial board, selected from the reviewer pool based on their subject-matter expertise.
Reviewers evaluate the submitted manuscripts based on originality, methodology, contribution to the literature, presentation of findings, support for conclusions, and use of previous research. Reviewers may recommend acceptance, rejection, or revision (either in form or content).
For a manuscript to be accepted, at least two reviewers must provide positive feedback.
If one reviewer rejects the manuscript and the other recommends acceptance with major revisions, a third reviewer is assigned.
If the third reviewer also recommends acceptance with major revisions, the combined feedback from all three reviewers is shared with the author(s), and revision is requested in line with all reviewer reports.
If revision is required, the author(s) must consider the reviewers’ critiques and suggestions and submit the revised manuscript to the Editorial Board within 30 days.
Manuscripts that are not accepted for publication are returned to the authors with the reasons for rejection.
Final Evaluation
All manuscripts that receive positive reviews and are approved for publication proceed to a final evaluation by the Editorial Board. Articles deemed “suitable for publication” are queued for publication in the journal.
Final Decision
When a manuscript is accepted for publication, it is forwarded to the Editor-in-Chief for final approval. The Editor-in-Chief will collaborate with the corresponding author to complete any necessary final edits. The final version of the manuscript will be sent to the corresponding author via email. If the author requests minor changes, these must be communicated electronically to the Editor-in-Chief within one week. In all matters concerning the publication, revision, or rejection of the manuscript, the Editor-in-Chief holds the final and ultimate authority.
Special Issues
The peer review process described above is fully applied to special issues of the ACTA Sport Sciences Journal. Special issues are not exempt from standard editorial policies.
NOTE: When an author is also a member of the Editorial Board, the following procedures are followed:
- The manuscript is reviewed without regard to the author’s editorial role.
- The author’s editorial privileges are suspended for that issue, and access to the journal’s editorial interface is restricted.
- The author may not suggest reviewers.
- The manuscript is handled strictly in accordance with all editorial policies governing the peer review process.
Review Timeline
JACTASS aims to complete the entire peer review process within 16 weeks (120 days):
- Preliminary Evaluation: 4 weeks
- Peer Review: 8 weeks
- Final Evaluation: 4 weeks
Authors submitting to the Journal of ACTA Sport Sciences are considered to have accepted these conditions and timelines of the peer review process.
