Academic publishing is a meticulously orchestrated process, and Open Journal Systems (OJS) serves as the guiding platform that facilitates every step of this journey. In this comprehensive guide, we will take you through the intricacies of the OJS journal editorial workflow, offering an in-depth exploration of the steps involved, from the initial submission of a manuscript to its ultimate publication. This illuminating journey will help you gain a profound understanding of how OJS empowers journals to manage submissions, reviews, decisions, and production, ultimately bringing scholarly work to the public eye.

1. Submission: The author submits the manuscript to the editor.
2. Pre-check: The editor reviews the manuscript for completeness and compliance with the journal’s guidelines. If the manuscript is incomplete or does not meet the guidelines, the editor may return it to the author for revision.
3. Peer review: The editor sends the manuscript to two or more reviewers for feedback. The reviewers evaluate the manuscript for its scientific merit, originality, and clarity.
4. Editor decision: Based on the reviewers’ feedback, the editor makes a decision to accept, reject, or revise the manuscript.
5. Production: If the manuscript is accepted, it is sent to the production team for formatting and layout.
6. Publication: The manuscript is published in the journal.

Here is a more detailed explanation of each step:

Submission: The author submits the manuscript to the editor. This can be done electronically or by mail. The editor will review the manuscript to determine if it is a good fit for the journal. If it is not, the editor will reject the manuscript.

Pre-check: The editor reviews the manuscript for completeness and compliance with the journal’s guidelines. This includes checking the manuscript for formatting errors, plagiarism, and ethical violations. If the manuscript is incomplete or does not meet the guidelines, the editor may return it to the author for revision.

Peer review: The editor sends the manuscript to two or more reviewers for feedback. The reviewers evaluate the manuscript for its scientific merit, originality, and clarity. The reviewers may also suggest changes to the manuscript. The editor then considers the reviewers’ feedback and makes a decision about the manuscript.

Editor decision: Based on the reviewers’ feedback, the editor makes a decision to accept, reject, or revise the manuscript. If the editor accepts the manuscript, it is sent to the production team for formatting and layout. If the editor rejects the manuscript, the author is notified of the decision. If the editor decides that the manuscript needs revision, the author is asked to make the necessary changes and resubmit the manuscript.

Production: If the manuscript is accepted, it is sent to the production team for formatting and layout. This includes creating a table of contents, adding page numbers, and creating figures and tables. The production team may also proofread the manuscript for any errors.

Publication: The manuscript is published in the journal. This may involve publishing the manuscript online or in print.