“Enhancing Quality through Rigorous Peer Review: ACS Publisher’s Editorial Process”

Introduction ACS Publisher is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of quality and integrity in scholarly publishing. To achieve this, we have implemented a strict and open peer-review procedure, managed by scholars and researchers. Our peer-review process aims to be effective, rigorous, and equitable for all parties involved.

Peer Review Overview The majority of ACS journals employ a single-blind peer-review process, with at least two independent reviewers assessing each manuscript. The ultimate acceptance or rejection decision is made by the Editor-in-Chief or another academic editor designated by the Editor-in-Chief. The Editor-in-Chief is responsible for selecting articles for publication and ensuring the academic quality of the publication process.

Editorial Process Flowchart [Figure 1:  flowchart depicting the editorial process]

Pre-Check In the pre-screening stage, two main steps are carried out: an academic editor’s editorial pre-check and a technical pre-check by the Editorial Office.

Technical Pre-Check The Editorial Office’s Managing Editor conducts the technical pre-check upon submission, evaluating the manuscript’s overall suitability to the journal, section, or Special Issue. This check ensures adherence to high-quality research and ethical guidelines, as well as rigor requirements for further evaluation.

Academic Editor’s Pre-Check The scholarly manager (i.e., the Supervisor in-Chief for regular submissions) is informed of the submission and invited to perform a publication pre-check. During this phase, the academic editor assesses the manuscript’s suitability in relation to the journal’s scope and its overall scientific soundness, including references’ relevance and the applied methodology’s correctness. Based on this evaluation, the academic editor may reject the manuscript, request revisions before peer review, or proceed with peer review and identify appropriate reviewers.

Peer Review Once the manuscript passes the pre-check stage, it enters the peer-review process. At least two independent reviewers, chosen for their expertise in the subject area, carefully evaluate the manuscript’s scientific content, methodology, and adherence to ethical guidelines. Reviewers provide feedback and recommendations to the Editor-in-Chief or designated academic editor.

Decision Based on the feedback received from reviewers, the Editor-in-Chief or academic editor makes the final decision regarding the manuscript’s acceptance or rejection. Authors are promptly notified of the decision, and if required, revision requests are communicated to the authors.

Publication Accepted manuscripts are prepared for publication, and authors receive proofs for final review. Upon authors’ approval, the manuscript is published, and the scholarly work becomes accessible to the scientific community.

Conclusion ACS Publisher’s editorial process emphasizes the importance of rigorous peer review to ensure the highest quality and credibility of published research. Our commitment to fairness, transparency, and academic excellence ensures that our journals continue to contribute significantly to the advancement of science and knowledge.