Manuscript Peer Review Process

At TRSPED, we are committed to maintaining a rigorous, transparent, and fair review process to ensure the highest standards of scholarly publication. Our process is designed to provide authors with constructive feedback, facilitate academic dialogue, and ensure the dissemination of high-quality research in the field of special education.

1. Submission Acknowledgment: Authors will receive an acknowledgment email within two business days of manuscript submission, confirming receipt and outlining the next steps in the review process. This initial communication will include details about the review stages, expected timelines, and contact information for any questions or concerns.

2. Preliminary Examination: Each manuscript will be assigned to a Co-Editor for an initial evaluation. This assessment will focus on:

• Alignment with the journal's aim and scope
• Significance and originality of the research
• Research design and methodology
• Clarity and coherence of written language
• Adherence to APA style guidelines
• Appropriateness of manuscript length and structure

Manuscripts failing to meet these preliminary requirements will be returned to authors within one week of the original submission, accompanied by specific feedback highlighting areas for improvement.

3. Review Assignment: Manuscripts that pass the preliminary screening will be assigned to an Associate Editor, who will oversee the review process. The Associate Editor will select two expert reviewers in the field of special education to evaluate the manuscript under a double-blind peer review protocol. This means that both the identities of the reviewers and the authors remain anonymous throughout the review process to ensure impartiality.

4. Peer Review Process: The peer review process is the cornerstone of our editorial workflow, ensuring the integrity, quality, and credibility of published research. The review process typically takes 6 to 8 weeks, and includes the following stages:

• Reviewer Selection: Associate Editors carefully select reviewers based on their expertise, familiarity with the manuscript's subject area, and prior reviewing experience. Efforts are made to avoid conflicts of interest and to ensure diversity in reviewer perspectives.
• Reviewer Responsibilities: Reviewers are tasked with assessing the manuscript's: (a) Originality and significance of the contribution to the field, (b) Research validity and rigor in methodology and analysis, (c) Logical coherence and clarity in presentation and argumentation, (d) Alignment with journal standards in terms of structure, language, and APA style, and (e) Potential impact on policy, practice, or future research.
• Structured Feedback: Reviewers provide detailed, constructive, and actionable feedback through a structured review form. This form includes specific sections for comments on: (a) Strengths of the manuscript, (b) Areas requiring improvement, (c) Suggestions for further analysis or clarification, and (d) Recommendations regarding acceptance, revision, or rejection.
• Ethical Considerations: Reviewers are expected to adhere to the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines, maintaining confidentiality, avoiding biases, and reporting any ethical concerns (e.g., plagiarism, data falsification, conflicts of interest).
  
• Decision Recommendations: At the end of their review, reviewers submit their overall recommendation, which could be:
  Accept (minor or no revisions required)
  Accept with Revisions (minor adjustments needed)
  Revise and Resubmit (major revisions required, with re-review necessary)
  Reject (manuscript is not suitable for publication)
• Reviewer Accountability: TRSPED values timely reviews and ensures that reviewers are given clear deadlines. Reviewers are also encouraged to provide transparent, respectful, and professional feedback.
• Reviewer Recognition: While reviews remain anonymous, TRSPED acknowledges the invaluable contribution of reviewers through certificates of appreciation.

5. Editorial Decision: Once all reviews are received, the Associate Editor will carefully evaluate the feedback and provide a recommendation to the Co-Editors. The Co-Editors will then make the final decision based on the reviews and their own assessment of the manuscript. Authors will receive a detailed editorial letter, including reviewer feedback, with one of the following outcomes:

• Accept: The manuscript is approved for publication without any further revisions.
  
• Accept with Revisions: Minor revisions are required, and authors will need to address reviewer comments before final acceptance.
• Reject, Revise, and Resubmit: The manuscript shows potential but requires substantial revisions. Authors are encouraged to make significant improvements and resubmit for further review.
• Reject: The manuscript does not meet the journal's standards for publication.

In all cases, the decision letter will include detailed feedback to guide authors in understanding the rationale behind the editorial decision.

6. Timeline for Decision: TRSPED strives to notify authors of the final editorial decision within 12 weeks of manuscript submission. This timeline ensures a balance between thorough evaluation and timely communication with authors.

7. Post-Decision Process:

• For Accepted manuscripts: Authors will receive further instructions regarding the production and publication process, including final proofing and copyright agreements.
  
• For Manuscripts requiring revisions: Clear guidelines and deadlines for submitting revised manuscripts will be provided.
• For Rejected manuscripts: Authors are welcome to seek clarification or feedback from the editorial team if needed.

8. Commitment to Ethical Standards: TRSPED upholds the highest ethical standards in scholarly publishing, adhering to the guidelines set forth by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Plagiarism, data falsification, and unethical research practices are strictly prohibited.

9. Communication and Support: We value the time and effort invested by our authors, reviewers, and editors. Authors are encouraged to reach out to the editorial team at any stage of the review process for clarification, support, or updates.

We remain dedicated to a fair, constructive, and efficient review process, fostering academic excellence and contributing to meaningful advancements in special education research. For any inquiries regarding the manuscript submission or review process, please contact our editorial team directly.

Policy for Articles Authored by Editors, Chief Editors, or Publishers: TRSPED implements the following policies to ensure impartiality and integrity in the evaluation process of articles authored by editors, chief editors, or publishers:

• Articles written by an editor, chief editor, or publisher are limited as much as possible and are accepted only in rare circumstances.
• Such articles are managed by an independent Co-Editor to ensure the objectivity and reliability of the process.
  
• The editor or chief editor does not participate in any stage of the article's evaluation process and refrains from any involvement in the proceedings.
  
• Each stage of the evaluation process is conducted transparently, and potential conflicts of interest are avoided.
  
• A statement ensuring the independence of the peer review process is published, as shown in the example below:
  "The peer review process of this article was managed independently by a Co-Editor. The author, who also serves as the journal's editor, did not participate in any stage of the evaluation process to maintain the integrity and impartiality of the process. Special measures were taken to ensure the objectivity of the process and uphold scientific standards."