The Double-Anonymized Peer Review Process

Learn more about eContent Pro International Press’s double-anonymized peer review process for scholarly research books.

Edited Book Publications | Authored Book Publications | Submit A Book Proposal

The peer review process is at the core of reputable scholarly publishing and drives eContent Pro International Press’s scholarly research books. All scholarly research manuscripts undergo a rigorous double-anonymized peer review process conducted entirely within the eEditorial Discovery^® online submission management system. Reviews are carried out by independent, external experts in the relevant subject area who are not part of the publisher’s staff. The owners of eContent Pro International Press are not involved in any editorial decision-making. All editorial decisions are made solely by qualified academic editors, based on the results of the peer review process.

The reviews and all reviewer information are accessible to eContent Pro International Press’s editorial staff, ensuring that, should accusations of questionable peer review arise, eContent Pro International Press can fully investigate such claims and safeguard the continued success of the corresponding publication. View eContent Pro International Press’s full Ethics and Malpractice Statement here.

As a publisher of scholarly research books, eContent Pro International Press recognizes that fraud erodes public trust and compromises the validity of research findings reported in academic books. To prevent such indiscretions, eContent Pro International Press has implemented the following measures:

The Lead Editor(s) of a book are solely responsible for the initial review of a submission to verify that it aligns with the book’s scope and to ensure that authors’ names and affiliations are removed prior to assigning it for review.
All individuals invited to join an Editorial Advisory Board (EAB) or Review Board must submit a copy of their curriculum vitae/resume for review and must provide a written email or letter accepting their nomination and appointment to the Board.
All Lead Editor(s) of books must use the eEditorial Discovery^® online submission management system to assign reviewers to manuscripts. Likewise, all reviews must be submitted by reviewers through the system to maintain a paper trail in the event a question arises about the review process.
Any Lead Editor(s) with books transitioning to the eEditorial Discovery^® online submission management system who may be assigning reviews outside of the system must submit the reviewer’s evaluation form when providing an accepted paper to eContent Pro International Press for publication.

The entire double-anonymized peer review process typically takes 12 to 16 weeks. If reviewers’ comments contradict one another or a report is delayed, an additional expert review will be sought. If necessary, revised manuscripts may be returned to the initial reviewers for re-evaluation. Lead Editor(s) may require more than one revision of a manuscript, and additional reviewers may be invited to review the manuscript at any stage.

Edited Book Publications

Book Lead Editor(s) Responsibilities

Submit a book proposal outlining the content coverage for consideration by eContent Pro International Press’s EAB.
Organize an International Advisory Board representing researchers from global institutions.
Recruit high-quality research manuscript submissions for the book.
Assign a minimum of two to three reviewers to conduct a thorough double-anonymized peer review of each manuscript through the eEditorial Discovery® online submission management system.
Collect and organize final materials for each manuscript submission, ensuring adherence to eContent Pro International Press’s Submission Guidelines.
Submit all final materials to eContent Pro International Press’s Book Development Department.

Reviewer Responsibilities and Expectations

Individuals appointed as reviewers perform a critical role, ensuring that each manuscript is published with integrity and accuracy. Serving as a reviewer is an important contribution to the academic community, often enhancing one’s visibility and expanding knowledge of current and emerging research in the field. Reviewers also serve as ambassadors for eContent Pro International Press, helping to identify potential authors and subscribers within their networks.

If a reviewer suspects they know the identity of an author, they must immediately notify the Lead Editor(s) to protect the integrity of the anonymized review process.

Upon receiving a manuscript, reviewers should carefully read it and support their evaluation with relevant citations. The goal is to help the author(s) produce a more rigorous research work through constructive feedback. Reviews should include:

An overall assessment of the work, followed by a specific list of comments.
Feedback that extends beyond grammar, spelling, and punctuation, as reviewers are not expected to copy edit, proofread, or translate the manuscript. Authors are responsible for ensuring professional copy editing prior to submission.
An analysis of the manuscript’s strengths and weaknesses, suggestions to improve completeness, relevance, and readability, and specific questions for the authors to address.
Constructive recommendations rather than vague statements.
Professional, respectful language. Derogatory or unprofessional comments are unacceptable.
Detailed feedback, even when rejecting a manuscript, to help authors improve their future work.
Page numbers and explicit references to specific sections, along with relevant citations, to guide improvements.
An assessment of tables, figures, and diagrams, including recommendations for enhancement where needed.

Initial Assessment

The book proposal is reviewed by eContent Pro International Press’s EAB for suitability. Once accepted, the book project is contracted, and the Lead Editor(s) may begin recruiting content. Chapter manuscript proposals are screened by the Lead Editor(s) for relevance and suitability. Suitable proposals prompt a request for the full chapter manuscript, which then enters the double-anonymized peer review process. Authors whose proposals are rejected during the initial assessment are notified promptly.

Double-Anonymized Peer Review

Once a chapter manuscript passes the initial screening of the Lead Editor(s), it is anonymized and assigned to at least three to five reviewers via the eEditorial Discovery^® online submission management system. Reviewer assignments are based on subject expertise to ensure alignment with the manuscript’s content. Reviewers are given evaluation criteria and provide anonymous comments to the author, with the option to share confidential feedback with the Lead Editor(s).

Reviewers assess manuscripts based on:

originality and significance of the contribution and its alignment with the book’s objectives;
relevance and usefulness to the research community and/or practitioners;
international relevance;
thoroughness and relevance of the literature review;
quality of methodology, analysis, and comprehension, including a detailed explanation of research methods and procedures;
clarity, conciseness, and avoidance of unnecessary jargon; and
logical and effective organizational structure, with conclusions supported by the research.

Once reviews are complete, the Lead Editor(s) may seek additional input from the Managing Editors and/or the International Advisory Board. Reviews are then shared with the author(s).

If accepted, author(s) receive eContent Pro International Press’s Submission Guidelines.
If substantial revisions are required, author(s) are expected to address reviewer comments and adhere to eContent Pro International Press’s Submission Guidelines when resubmitting. The Lead Editor(s) may consult with Managing Editors or Advisory Board Members before making a final decision.
If further revisions are requested, the process may repeat until a final decision is reached.
If rejected, the process ends, though the Lead Editor(s) may recommend alternative publication outlets.

Note: Returning a manuscript to the author(s) for revision does not guarantee acceptance for publication.

Proofing and Publication

Once the manuscript enters production, the author(s) will have the opportunity to proof their work before it goes to print.

Authored Book Publications

Book Author Responsibilities

Submit a book proposal outlining the content coverage for consideration by eContent Pro International Press’s EAB.
Ensure that the manuscript is professionally copy edited prior to submission.
Ensure that the manuscript is submitted in accordance with eContent Pro International Press’s Submission Guidelines.

Reviewer Responsibilities and Expectations

Individuals appointed as reviewers play an important and valuable role in ensuring that a manuscript is published with integrity and accuracy. Serving as a reviewer is a significant step in an individual’s academic career progression, enhancing visibility and expanding knowledge of current and emerging research in the field. Reviewers perform a professional service for their colleagues, helping to improve the quality of scholarly work and the accessibility of advanced research. Reviewers are also encouraged to act as ambassadors for eContent Pro International Press, identifying potential authors and subscribers within their networks.

If a reviewer suspects they know the identity of an author, they must immediately notify the EAB to preserve the integrity of the anonymized review process.

Upon receipt of a manuscript, reviewers are expected to carefully read the work and support their evaluation with relevant citations, with the goal of helping the author(s) produce a more rigorous research study through constructive feedback. Reviews should provide an honest assessment of the manuscript’s value, beginning with an overall evaluation followed by a specific list of comments. While grammatical corrections are valuable, the review should go beyond punctuation, spelling, and language usage. Reviewers are not expected to copy edit, proofread, or translate the manuscript; the author is responsible for ensuring professional copy editing prior to submission.

An effective evaluation should include an analysis of the manuscript’s strengths and weaknesses, suggestions for improving completeness, relevance, and readability, and specific questions for the author(s) to address. Feedback should lead to clear, actionable improvements; vague statements or comments without actionable points hinder the revision process.

Reviewers must avoid derogatory or unprofessional language. If a manuscript is not deemed publishable, the reviewer should still provide detailed comments explaining why, along with constructive guidance for future submissions. A decision to “reject” without feedback does not help author(s) advance their skills. Reviewers should reference specific page numbers, clearly identify the sections under discussion, and provide relevant citations to support suggested improvements. They should also assess tables, figures, and diagrams, offering recommendations for enhancement where appropriate.

Each Review Board Member is evaluated every six months. The timeliness, rigor, and quality of each review performed during that period are considered, with evaluations scored on both timeliness and quality. High-quality, timely reviews are essential to eContent Pro International Press’s mission of publishing exceptional work efficiently. Exceptional performance may lead to advancement within the Editorial Board and opportunities for special projects.

Initial Assessment

The book proposal is reviewed by eContent Pro International Press’s EAB for suitability. If deemed appropriate, the book project is contracted, and the Board requests submission of the full manuscript. Once the full manuscript is received and considered suitable, it enters the double-anonymized peer review process. Authors whose proposals are rejected at the initial assessment stage are notified promptly.

Double-Anonymized Peer Review

Once the full manuscript is accepted for review, it is anonymized and assigned to at least three to five members of the Editorial Review Board. Reviewer assignments are based on subject expertise, with consideration given to the reviewers’ current workload.

Reviewers receive evaluation criteria and are asked to provide anonymous comments to the author, as well as optional confidential feedback to the EAB. Reviewer comments to the author are also shared with other reviewers to promote the ongoing development of reviewing skills.

Reviewers assess manuscripts based on:

originality and significance of the contribution and its alignment with the book’s objectives;
relevance and usefulness to the research community and/or practitioners;
international relevance;
thoroughness and relevance of the literature review;
quality of methodology, analysis, and comprehension, including a detailed explanation of research methods and procedures;
clarity, conciseness, and avoidance of unnecessary jargon; and
logical and effective organizational structure, with conclusions supported by the research.

Once all reviews are submitted, the EAB provides anonymized feedback to the author along with its publication decision:

Acceptance: The author receives eContent Pro International Press’s Submission Guidelines.
Revisions Required: The author is notified of the areas needing improvement and provided with eContent Pro International Press’s Submission Guidelines.
Rejection: The process ends, though alternative publication outlets may be recommended when appropriate.

If revisions are submitted, the manuscript may be sent for additional review. This process can be repeated until the work is deemed publishable or a final rejection is issued.

Note: Returning a manuscript to the author for revision does not guarantee acceptance.

Proofing and Publication

Once the manuscript enters production, the author(s) will have the opportunity to proof their work before it goes to print.

Submit A Book Proposal

We welcome platinum open access book proposals from scholars across all academic disciplines. Publishing with eContent Pro International Press gives you the opportunity to contribute meaningful work to the global research community. It also offers professional recognition, increases your visibility, and opens the door to valuable academic and industry collaborations.