Peer-review process

REGULATIONS
ON THE PEER REVIEW PROCEDURE OF THE SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL
Biosphere Reserve "Askania Nova" Reports

Procedures for executing and submitting an article for publication

All articles received by the editorial team are subject to peer review. The peer review procedure focuses on as impartial as possible assessment of a scientific article, its compliance with the journal’s requirements and involves a comprehensive analysis of the benefits and drawbacks of the article. The journal publishes articles that have scientific value and contribute to solving the current problems of science, nature reserve management, conservation of natural diversity, environment preservation and ecological tasks.

1. An author should submit the article meeting the journal’s requirements.

2. An official confirmation of the establishment where the research took place – the contributions of postgraduate students should also include the review of the research advisor – and a copyright assignment agreement (each author/co-author should individually sign it) should be attached to the article. The manuscript is not considered without agreements. The author (-s) is provided with a copy. In case of the refusal to publish the article, the agreement automatically becomes void.

3. Plagiarism check. For all articles subjected to peer review, it is specified the uniqueness of the author’s text using the relevant software.

4. All manuscripts are distributed among peer reviewers following research specialization. The chief editor appoints reviewers. According to the decision of the chief editor, the articles of prominent scientists and particular review articles can be free of the standard review procedure.

5. Both the members of the editorial board and external highly qualified specialists, who have advanced knowledge and experience in a particular research area, are engaged in the peer review procedure.

6. Within 14 days, a peer reviewer concludes on article publication (he/she completes a standard form which encompasses total recommendations).

7. The peer review procedure is confidential and double-blind (neither a peer reviewer nor the author knows each other). The executive editor is a mediator between the author and the peer reviewer.

8. If the peer reviewer emphasizes the need to alter the article, the author is sent the article back with the proposal to take into account the peer reviewer’s comments when elaborating an updated version of the article or to confute them. The peer reviewer is provided with an updated article to decide and make a reasoned conclusion on publication.

9. The final decision on the relevance of manuscript publication is approved by the editorial board.

10. After the completion of the publication procedure, the printed article is not sent back to the author.

Approved by the Academic Council of the Biosphere Reserve “Askania Nova”
(Minutes No. 8 dated October 8, 2020)