Review Process

The Journal of Pathways Education and Research (JPER) adheres to the principles of integrity, transparency, and accountability outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). The review process is designed to ensure that all submissions are evaluated fairly, objectively, and in accordance with recognised scholarly standards.

1. Submission and Initial Screening

All manuscripts are submitted via the JPER online submission system and undergo an initial editorial screening to ensure that:

• The paper fits the scope of the journal and contributes meaningfully to pathways, Enabling, vocational, or higher education research.
• The submission meets basic scholarly and ethical standards, including proper referencing, author identification, and ethical research conduct (e.g., human ethics approval where applicable).
• The manuscript is free from plagiarism or other forms of research misconduct, verified through similarity checks.

Manuscripts that do not meet these criteria may be desk-rejected, accompanied by constructive editorial feedback to guide potential resubmission.

2. Peer Review

JPER operates a double-blind peer review process, ensuring anonymity for both authors and reviewers throughout the evaluation.

• Each manuscript is typically reviewed by two independent experts with relevant disciplinary or methodological expertise.
• Reviewers are selected based on their scholarly record, professional standing, and familiarity with the topic area.
• Reviewers are asked to provide detailed and constructive feedback on the manuscript’s contribution, originality, rigour, theoretical engagement, and clarity of presentation, using the JPER Reviewer Report Form.

Where there is significant divergence in reviewer recommendations, a third reviewer or a member of the Editorial Board may be consulted.

3. Editorial Decision

Decisions are made based on reviewer feedback, editorial judgement, and alignment with the journal’s aims and quality standards. The possible outcomes are:

• Accept: The manuscript is suitable for publication with only minor editorial adjustments.
• Accept with Minor Revisions: The manuscript requires small revisions that do not fundamentally alter its argument or design.
• Revise and Resubmit: Substantial revisions are required before the paper can be reconsidered for publication. The same reviewers will generally re-evaluate resubmitted manuscripts.
• Reject: The manuscript does not meet the required scholarly standard or falls outside the journal’s scope.

Editors provide a clear rationale for each decision, incorporating reviewers’ feedback and their own assessment of the manuscript’s contribution.

4. Revision and Resubmission

Authors invited to revise their manuscripts are expected to:

• Submit a response to reviewers outlining how each comment was addressed.
• Make revisions that strengthen the conceptual, methodological, or analytical dimensions of the paper.
• Return the revised submission within the timeframe specified in the decision letter (usually four to six weeks).

Resubmissions are subject to editorial review and, where appropriate, further peer review.

5. Ethical and Procedural Integrity

In line with COPE guidelines, JPER upholds the following principles:

• Confidentiality: All manuscripts and reviews are treated as confidential documents.
• Conflict of Interest: Editors and reviewers must declare any potential conflicts before accepting a review or decision-making role.
• Reviewer Conduct: Reviews must be objective, evidence-based, and free from bias or discriminatory language.
• Appeals and Complaints: Authors may appeal editorial decisions if they believe the review process was not conducted fairly. Appeals will be handled by an independent editorial advisor in accordance with COPE’s Ethical Guidelines for Peer Reviewers.
• Corrections and Retractions: The journal follows COPE protocols for handling errors, ethical breaches, or research misconduct post-publication, including issuing corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions when necessary.

6. Post-Acceptance and Publication

Once accepted, manuscripts enter the copyediting and proofing stage, during which authors review formatted proofs for accuracy.

All published articles are made freely available under an open-access licence, ensuring that research in pathways, Enabling, vocational, and higher education is accessible to scholars, practitioners, and policymakers worldwide.

7. Commitment to Constructive and Collegial Review

JPER values constructive peer review as a form of scholarly dialogue. Reviewers are encouraged to provide balanced assessments that:

• Highlight both strengths and areas for improvement.
• Engage with the paper’s argument rather than its author.
• Offer actionable suggestions that support the development of high-quality scholarship within the field.

The journal acknowledges the essential intellectual labour of reviewers and may, where appropriate, recognise outstanding contributions through acknowledgement as an Associate Editor.