This document presents a step-by-step flowchart explaining the process of an article from submission to publication. The objective is to provide authors and editors with a clear guide on what to expect at each stage. The process begins with the Secretarial Check and concludes with the Publication Editor Control. Potential decisions and subsequent steps are specified at every stage.

Steps of the Article Publication Process

1. Article Submission

The author submits the article to the journal. This is the starting point of the process.

2. Secretarial Check

• The secretary checks the article's compliance with the journal's formatting guidelines and ensures all required documents are complete.
• Similarity Report: The article's similarity index (plagiarism) is checked using specialized software.
  • If Similarity Report ≥ 20%: The article is returned to the author with a request to reduce the similarity rate. The author may resubmit after making the necessary corrections.
  • If Similarity Report < 20%: The article proceeds to the next stage.

3. Editor Preliminary Check

• The Editor evaluates whether the article falls within the journal's publication scope.
  • If Out of Scope: The article is rejected, and the author is notified with the reasoning.
  • If Within Scope: The article proceeds to the next stage.

4. Copy Editor Control

• The copy editor checks the article for grammar, spelling, and general clarity of expression.
  • If Necessary: The copy editor may contact the authors to request specific linguistic corrections.
  • If Not Necessary: The article proceeds to the next stage.

5. Section Editor Control

• The section editor evaluates the suitability of the subject matter relative to the journal's expertise and assesses its scientific quality.
• Initiation of Double-Blind Peer Review: The section editor sends the article to experts in the field to start the double-blind peer review process. In this process, the identities of both the reviewers and the authors are kept confidential from each other.

6. Peer Review Process

• Reviewers evaluate the article's scientific content, methodology, results, and contribution to the literature.
• Reviewers prepare a detailed report and submit it to the editor.

7. Field Editor Decision Phase

• The field editor evaluates the reviewer reports and makes a decision regarding the article.
  • Rejected: The article may be rejected due to scientific inadequacy, methodological issues, or non-compliance with the journal's publication policies.
  • Accepted: The article may be accepted following positive evaluations from reviewers and approval from the field editor. Accepted articles proceed to the next stage.

8. Language Editor Control

• The language editor checks the fluency, clarity, and terminological accuracy of the article.
  • If Necessary: The language editor may contact the authors to request linguistic refinements.
  • If Not Necessary: The article proceeds to the next stage.

9. Layout Editor Control

• The layout editor ensures the article is formatted according to the journal's design standards. This includes the correct placement of headings, subheadings, tables, figures, and references.
• Final Checks and Corrections: The layout editor performs final checks to ensure the article is ready for publication and makes any necessary adjustments.
• Assignment of DOI: The Digital Object Identifier (DOI) is assigned and embedded into the article file, providing a permanent link on the internet.

10. Publication Editor Control

• The publication editor performs a final check and update of the title, abstract, keywords, and references. This ensures the article is indexed accurately and completely.

11. Publication Process

• Ready for Issue Assignment: The article is prepared for assignment to a specific journal issue and placed in the publication queue.
• Final Publication: The article is published on the journal's website and other relevant platforms.

Note: This flowchart provides a general summary of the publication process. It is important to remember that procedures may vary slightly between journals. Authors are encouraged to carefully review the specific guidelines of the journal before submission.