The Editorial Decision-Making Process: Evaluating Aims & Scope Alignment

Abstract

This editorial describes the decision-making process involved in the peer-reviewed interdisciplinary social science journal Review of Religious Research . Inspired by visuals of how a bill becomes a law, this decision-tree visualization walks readers through the process for how a manuscript becomes a published article. Article publication is a social process that involves many experts: the editor plus multiple reviewers and sometimes editorial board members. This step-by-step description leads toward three important takeaways. First is myth busting editorial gatekeeping by recognizing the importance of peer reviewers and editorial board members. Second is a rationale for reviewer recommendations to editors and explanation of what is acceptable to state directly to authors versus the role of confidential comments to the editor. Third is the crucial importance of the journal Aims & Scope in assessing fit with this journal. Clarifying how manuscript decisions get made can build author understanding, further socialize reviewers, and accentuate the weight of editorial board member input for quality reviewing.