Peer Review Policy

The Human Occupation & Wellbeing Journal employs a rigorous and transparent peer review process to maintain the quality and integrity of the research published. Our review process follows a double-blind system, ensuring impartiality and fairness for all submitted manuscripts.

  1. Initial Submission
  • Authors submit their manuscript through the journal’s online submission system.
  • The editorial team reviews the submission for compliance with the journal's scope, formatting guidelines, and ethical standards.
  • If the manuscript is deemed suitable for further review, it proceeds to the next stage. If not, the manuscript may be rejected at this stage with feedback.
  1. Peer Review
  • Double-Blind Review: The manuscript undergoes a double-blind peer review process, where both the author(s) and reviewers remain anonymous to each other. This ensures an unbiased evaluation of the manuscript.
  • Reviewer Selection: The editorial team selects two to three independent, subject-matter experts from the field of human occupation, well-being, or related disciplines to review the manuscript.
  • Review Criteria: Reviewers assess the manuscript based on the following criteria:
    • Relevance and originality of the research
    • Clarity of research objectives and methodology
    • Appropriateness and rigor of the methods used
    • Quality of data analysis and interpretation
    • Contribution to the field of human occupation and well-being
    • Quality of writing and structure
    • Linkages to shared humanity, belonging, interconnectedness and community
    • Ethical considerations, including informed consent and potential conflicts of interest
  • Feedback: Reviewers provide constructive feedback, which may include suggestions for revisions or improvements.
  1. Decision

After the manuscript is reviewed, the editor will make one of the following decisions based on the reviewers' comments:

  • Accept: The manuscript is accepted for publication without further revisions.
  • Minor Revision: The manuscript is accepted with minor revisions, and authors are given a set period to address the reviewers' comments.
  • Major Revision: The manuscript requires significant revisions. Authors are encouraged to revise the manuscript thoroughly and resubmit it for further review.
  • Reject: The manuscript is not accepted for publication, typically due to significant issues in the research design, methodology, or relevance to the journal's scope.
  1. Revisions and Resubmission
  • If revisions are requested, authors are expected to respond to all reviewer comments and revise their manuscript accordingly.
  • A revised manuscript should be resubmitted within the given timeline, along with a document explaining how each reviewer comment has been addressed.
  • The resubmitted manuscript will be re-evaluated by the same reviewers or, if necessary, by new reviewers.
  1. Final Decision
  • After revisions (if applicable), the editorial team will make a final decision on the manuscript. If accepted, the manuscript will move forward to the publication stage.
  • If the manuscript is rejected after revisions, authors may be provided with feedback and suggestions for submitting to other journals.
  1. Publication
  • Once a manuscript is accepted, it is queued for publication in an upcoming issue of the Human Occupation & Wellbeing Journal.
  • Authors will be notified about the expected publication date, and the manuscript will undergo final proofreading and formatting before it is published online.
  1. Post-Publication
  • The journal may update the manuscript after publication if corrections or clarifications are required (e.g., errata or retractions).
  • Authors are encouraged to promote their published work through academic networks and conferences.
  1. Ethical Considerations
  • The Human Occupation & Wellbeing Journal follows ethical guidelines for publication, ensuring the research is conducted and reported with transparency, integrity, and respect for participants.
  • In cases of unethical research practices (e.g., plagiarism, data manipulation), manuscripts may be retracted or rejected at any stage of the review process.