Review Process and Editorial Guidelines

Research Collab follows an editorial assessment and review process designed to maintain the academic quality, originality, relevance, and ethical integrity of its edited volumes. All edited volumes and their submitted chapters are subject to evaluation by the assigned editor or editors and, where applicable, designated reviewers, according to the publication model and the requirements of the individual project.

1. Editorial Assessment and Review Process

Every edited-volume proposal and submitted manuscript undergoes an initial editorial assessment to determine its suitability for publication. The assessment may consider the relevance of the subject, originality of the contributions, academic quality, thematic consistency, referencing, language, formatting, and compliance with publication ethics.

The assigned editor or editorial team is responsible for coordinating the assessment of submitted chapters and ensuring that the contributions meet the objectives and scope of the proposed volume. External reviewers or subject specialists may be invited to evaluate individual chapters or manuscripts whenever required by the publication model, the editor's judgement, or the project's review requirements.

Based on the assessment, a submission may be accepted, accepted subject to revision, returned for substantial revision, or rejected. Authors may be required to revise their chapters in response to editorial or reviewer comments. Final inclusion in an edited volume is subject to editorial approval and completion of the applicable publication requirements.

The review procedure may vary depending on the type of edited-volume collaboration. Research Collab distinguishes between the following three publication models.

2. Peer Editorial Collaboration

Under the Peer Editorial Collaboration model, Research Collab manages and coordinates the overall publication workflow. This may include project planning, the appointment of editors, coordination of chapter submissions, communication with contributors, review tracking, manuscript preparation, formatting, publication processing, and the coordination of applicable publication services.

Research Collab appoints or approves editors to oversee individual edited-volume projects. The appointed editors are responsible for managing the academic content of their assigned volumes, assessing submitted chapters, coordinating revisions, and consulting reviewers or subject specialists where appropriate. Research Collab supports the editorial team by maintaining the publication workflow and coordinating the administrative and production stages.

Under this model, authors and editors are expected to comply with the agreed project guidelines, editorial decisions, submission deadlines, and publication ethics requirements. Final publication is subject to satisfactory editorial assessment, completion of the required revisions, and approval for production.

3. Independent Editorial Collaboration

Under the Independent Editorial Collaboration model, the nominated or approved editor independently develops and manages the edited-volume project. The editor is responsible for defining the scope and themes, inviting contributors, collecting manuscripts, coordinating the review process, communicating editorial decisions, and ensuring that the submitted chapters meet the required academic and ethical standards.

The editor must ensure that the chapters receive appropriate editorial assessment and, where required, review by qualified subject specialists. The editor is also responsible for checking originality, addressing plagiarism or other ethical concerns, obtaining necessary permissions, and ensuring that the complete manuscript is ready for submission.

Once the edited volume is complete, the editor submits the final manuscript and relevant documentation to Research Collab for assessment and publication processing under the agreed publishing arrangement. Research Collab may examine the submitted materials for completeness, formatting, originality, ethical compliance, and suitability for publication. Submission does not automatically guarantee acceptance.

4. Direct Publishing

Under the Direct Publishing model, an author, editor, or editorial team submits a complete book manuscript or edited volume directly to Research Collab for consideration. The submitting editor or team is primarily responsible for preparing the manuscript, coordinating contributions, conducting the necessary editorial assessment, and ensuring that the work meets the applicable academic, originality, and ethical standards before submission.

Research Collab evaluates the submitted manuscript for suitability, completeness, formatting, originality, and compliance with its publication requirements. Additional clarification, documentation, revisions, or review may be requested before a final publication decision is made.

Following approval, the manuscript proceeds to the applicable production and publication stages. The scope of editorial assistance, review coordination, and production services depends on the specific publishing arrangement agreed upon with Research Collab.

5. Responsibilities of Editors and Reviewers

Editors are responsible for maintaining the academic integrity and thematic consistency of their edited volumes. They should evaluate submissions fairly, communicate revision requirements clearly, disclose relevant conflicts of interest, protect confidential manuscript information, and make editorial decisions based on the quality and suitability of the work.

Reviewers, when appointed, are expected to provide objective, constructive, and academically relevant feedback within the agreed timeframe. They should maintain confidentiality, disclose potential conflicts of interest, and notify the editor of any concerns regarding originality, ethical compliance, or possible misconduct.

Authors are responsible for ensuring that their submissions are original, properly cited, ethically prepared, and compliant with the applicable submission guidelines. Authors must respond to editorial and reviewer comments and submit revised manuscripts within the specified deadlines.

6. Editorial Independence and Publication Decisions

Editorial decisions should be based on academic merit, originality, relevance, ethical compliance, and the suitability of the manuscript for the proposed volume. The appointment of an editor, submission of a manuscript, or participation in a publishing collaboration does not guarantee acceptance or publication.

Research Collab reserves the right to request revisions, seek additional assessments, return incomplete submissions, suspend processing where ethical concerns arise, or decline manuscripts that fail to meet the applicable requirements. Publication arrangements and editorial responsibilities shall be governed by the terms agreed upon for the relevant project.

7. Review Transparency

The applicable review procedure should be communicated to contributors before or during the submission process. Where external peer review is conducted, the editor or project team should maintain appropriate records of reviewer feedback and editorial decisions. A volume should not be described as peer-reviewed unless the relevant review process has actually been completed.

Research Collab is committed to promoting responsible editorial practices, transparent publication workflows, and the dissemination of credible academic and interdisciplinary research.

For questions regarding editorial responsibilities, review procedures, or edited-volume publication models, please contact:
editor@researchcollab.in
Research Collab Official Website
Publication Project Portal