Peer Review Process
Initial Review by the Editor-in-Chief
All manuscripts submitted to Jurnal Suaka Insan Mengabdi (JSIM) first undergo a strict initial review conducted by the Editor-in-Chief. This preliminary evaluation assesses the manuscript's fundamental scientific merit, novelty, adherence to the Author Guidelines, and suitability for the journal's Focus and Scope (particularly community service initiatives in the health and nursing sectors). Furthermore, all manuscripts are screened for plagiarism using iThenticate software; submissions with a similarity index exceeding 15% may be rejected outright. Manuscripts that do not meet these initial requirements are desk-rejected without being sent for external peer review. If the manuscript passes this stage, the Editor-in-Chief will assign it to a designated Handling Editor.
Peer Review Assignment
Manuscripts successfully passing the initial evaluation are overseen by a Handling Editor who manages the peer review process. JSIM strictly employs a Double-Blind Peer Review system, meaning the identities of both the authors and the reviewers remain strictly confidential throughout the entire process. Each manuscript is sent to at least two independent expert reviewers in the relevant field. Additional reviewers may be consulted if specialized advice is required (e.g., regarding advanced statistical methods, specific community intervention techniques, or watershed area health issues).
Reviewer Assessment and Recommendation
Reviewers evaluate the manuscript based on its originality, methodology, significance, clarity, and contribution to community service in nursing and health. They provide detailed, constructive comments and recommend one of the following actions to the handling editor: Accept, Minor Revision, Major Revision, or Reject.
Editorial Decision
Based on the reviewers' feedback and recommendations, the handling editor makes a decision regarding the manuscript. The possible choices are:
- Accept: The manuscript is accepted for publication, possibly with minor editorial revisions.
- Minor Revision: The author(s) are invited to revise the manuscript to address minor concerns raised by the reviewers and/or editor.
- Major Revision: The author(s) are invited to make substantial revisions to address significant concerns. Revised manuscripts will typically be sent back to the original reviewers for re-evaluation.
- Reject: The manuscript is declined for publication, typically due to a lack of originality, insufficient conceptual advancement, major methodological flaws, or significant interpretational problems.
Revision Stage
If revisions are requested, authors are provided with the anonymized reviewers' comments and editor's feedback. Authors must carefully revise their manuscript, addressing all specific concerns, and submit the revised version alongside a point-by-point response (Response Letter) detailing the changes made. Authors are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and completeness of the revised text, references, tables, and figures.
Final Decision and Letter of Acceptance (LoA)
The handling editor assesses the revised manuscript (and potentially consults the reviewers again) to determine if the revisions adequately address the initial concerns. A formal Letter of Acceptance (LoA) will be issued only after the manuscript has successfully navigated the peer review process, is deemed suitable for publication by the handling editor, and receives final approval from the Editor-in-Chief to proceed to copyediting.
Handling Conflicting Advice
JSIM values the expertise of its reviewers. However, in cases where reviewers provide conflicting recommendations, the handling editor will carefully weigh the arguments presented in each review report, consider the authors' response (if applicable), and seek advice from an additional reviewer or Editorial Board member before making a decision. The Editor-in-Chief’s judgment is paramount in resolving such discrepancies to reach a final verdict.
Post-Acceptance Procedures
Accepted manuscripts undergo copyediting to ensure clarity, consistency, and adherence to the journal's style and format guidelines. The Editorial Board reserves the right to edit articles for style, grammar, and readability. Authors may be consulted during this stage to approve final proofs. Manuscripts containing excessive errors (e.g., in spelling, punctuation, or grammar) may be returned to authors for correction before final typesetting or, in severe cases, could still have their acceptance revoked. The Editor-in-Chief determines the final publication sequence, considering acceptance dates, author geographic distribution, and thematic coherence.
