Any article submitted to any journal goes under review if found suitable and within the scope of that journal. However, after reviewers completed their assignments, the authors do respond to queries raised by such reviewers, it could be once or a series of reviewer-author responses. Finally, the editor in Chief finalizes the decision. In Elsevier, particularly, before this happens, the status of the article shows Decision in Process. My question is how long does it take for this status to change under an ideal situation? And If it took more than the expected time, what should the corresponding author(s) suppose to do?
I hope to get sound and convincing responses from eminent researchers and editors across the platform.
Dear Dr. Umar:
Based on my personal experience, both as an author and editor of journals, time decision is quite variable and depends on the particular journal. The reviewing process may normally take from 4 to 10 weeks, although during the pandemic longer times are common. Elsevier is currently publishing not only the time to 1st decision and publication but also the CiteScore, Impact Factor, and Acceptance rate of their journals.
In Elsevier, if the current status of a paper shows "Decision in progress" and the time for an editorial recommendation is taking too long, I would recommend you to send an email to the journal using the own Elsevier editorial management website. Usually, they respond fast to any author's query.
I hope this information will help you.
Best regards,
JP Arenas
Thank you for the information Profs. @Ijaz Durrani and @Jorge P. Arenas. Actually I am not referring to the peer review process, it usually takes time, in fact, some editors after receiving the reviw reports do invite for more opinion different from the initial reviewers if not satisfied with the report or need more information to take suitable and unbiased decision. As a result, the process takes longer time. The case I am making here is that when everything is completed some journal show "Required reviews Completed" others show "Decision in Progress." Now that Prof. @Jorge P. Arenas pointed out that the decisions are not only based on the time to 1st decision and publication but also the CiteScore, Impact Factor, and Acceptance rate of their journals. It is clear to me as why it takes longer duration. Thank you for the contributions
Dear Dr. Umar:
You are welcome. Sometimes, the associate editor handling your paper could be too busy to log in to the system, check the reviewer's reports, and make an editorial recommendation which will be directed to the editor-in-chief so he/she can make the decision (reject, minor, major revision, or accept as it is). Thus in doubt, I recommend sending an email politely asking what could be the reason for the delay.
Best
JP Arenas
You are right Prof. Jorge. I am aware of a case where after more than a month Decision in Progress but after an email to the editor-in-chief, immediately the status change with a final Decision. It happens the editors are always busy, too many submissions and reports needing actions.
I have communicated one of my Manuscript in JDDST. The status changed from with editor to decision in process what is the meaning of that. Is it going to reject?
Dear Dr. Sandip Sen, it is possible this article maybe rejected. Because the usual norms is that after with editor the next step is under review or reviewers invited. So just giveth little time definitely you will receive the decision.
Best wishes
Mostly a week time or max 10 days in ELSEVIER journals.
If the revision is minor then the editor usually replies back with an acceptance (upon completion of work by authors) in just one week time.
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