Submission & Editorial Screening

Policy Statement

Submitted manuscripts undergo initial editorial screening for fit with PJN's aims and scope, completeness, originality, basic reporting quality, ethical compliance, and adherence to submission requirements. PJN targets completion of initial screening within two weeks of submission; stated timelines are service targets rather than guarantees.

A manuscript may be desk-rejected at this stage, without external peer review, if it is out of scope or has major reporting deficiencies. Manuscripts that pass initial screening proceed to peer review under the Peer Review Policy (Section 6).

1. Scope and Applicability

This policy applies to every manuscript submitted to PJN, from the point of submission until a decision to proceed to peer review or to desk-reject is made.

2. Definitions

Initial Screening: The editorial team's preliminary check of a submission for scope fit, completeness, and basic reporting quality, before any decision to send it for peer review.

Desk Rejection: A decision to decline a manuscript without external peer review, typically because it is out of scope or has major reporting deficiencies.