Peer Review Policy

Vocational: Journal of Educational Technology utilizes an online submission and peer review system to ensure the efficient and transparent processing of all submitted manuscripts. This policy outlines the procedures and expectations for the peer review process, aligned with the journal's publication ethics and ethical guidelines for peer reviewers, as provided by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Selection of Papers

The editorial board evaluates all submitted manuscripts to ensure they align with the journal’s scope and focus. Manuscripts are selected for peer review based on their quality, relevance, and potential contribution to technology-enhanced learning and computer science applications.

Selection of Reviewers

Reviewers are chosen based on their expertise in the manuscript’s subject matter. At least two independent reviewers are assigned to each manuscript. If necessary, additional reviewers may be invited to provide further opinions. The editorial board follows best practices to avoid conflicts of interest and ensures that reviewers are selected objectively, avoiding counterfeit reviewers.

Double-Blind Peer Review Process

The journal employs a double-blind peer review process, in which the identities of both the authors and the reviewers are kept confidential throughout the review process. This ensures impartiality and fairness when evaluating each manuscript.

Review Criteria

Reviewers are asked to evaluate manuscripts based on the following criteria:

  • Relevance to the scope of Vocational: Journal of Educational Technology
  • Novelty and originality of the research
  • The soundness of the methodology
  • Significance of the results and their contribution to the field
  • Appropriateness of the references and citations
  • Clarity and coherence of the manuscript

Feedback from reviewers is forwarded to the corresponding author for revision or response. The editorial board considers the reviewers' recommendations when making the final decision on the manuscript, ensuring a transparent decision-making process consistent with Vocational: Journal of Educational Technology publication ethics.

Timing and Efficiency

Vocational: Journal of Educational Technology is committed to a structured and timely review process, ensuring efficient handling of all submissions. The timeline is as follows:

  1. Initial Review Invitation:

    • Reviewers receive an invitation to review a manuscript and are required to respond within 2 weeks, either by accepting or declining the review request. This prompt response helps to maintain an efficient review process.

  2. Review Completion:

    • If the reviewer accepts the invitation, they are given an additional 3 weeks to complete a thorough evaluation of the manuscript. During this time, reviewers should adhere to the specific review criteria set by Vocational: Journal of Educational Technology.

  3. Total Review Timeline:

    • The total review process, from invitation to completion, is expected to take no longer than 5 weeks. If reviewers cannot meet this timeline, they must notify the editorial board as early as possible to arrange alternatives or negotiate exceptions.

Plagiarism Screening

All manuscripts submitted to Vocational: Journal of Educational Technology  are screened for plagiarism using Turnitin software. Manuscripts with a similarity score exceeding 25% will be returned to the authors for revision or may be rejected based on the extent of the plagiarism detected.

Confidentiality

The editorial board ensures that all manuscripts, reviews, and related communications remain confidential. Reviewers must not share or discuss the manuscript with any third party during or after the review process.

Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

Both authors and reviewers are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest. If a conflict of interest is identified, reviewers must recuse themselves from the review process. The editorial board ensures that the peer review process remains transparent and unbiased.