Manuscript Evaluation Process

MINDSET operates double-blind peer review. The identities of authors and reviewers are not disclosed to each other.

Stages

Technical check: The editorial office checks the submission for completeness, anonymisation, the reporting checklist, and required declarations. Incomplete submissions are returned to the authors. Target time: 7 days.
Editorial screening: An editor assesses scope, originality, and methodological quality, and reviews the similarity report. Submissions that do not meet the journal's standards are declined without review.
Peer review: At least two independent reviewers evaluate the manuscript using a review form specific to the article type. A statistical reviewer is added where the analysis requires it. Reviewers are asked to complete their review within 21 days.
Decision: The editor makes a decision based on the reviewer reports: accept, minor revision, major revision, or decline. Target time to first decision: 6 to 8 weeks from submission.
Revision: Authors submit a revised manuscript with a point-by-point response to the reviewers. Minor revisions are due within 14 days and major revisions within 45 days. Extensions may be requested from the editor.
Production and publication: Accepted articles are copyedited, typeset, assigned a DOI, and published online as soon as production is complete.

Submissions from the Editor-in-Chief or members of the editorial board are handled by an independent editor, as described in the Editorial Policies.