These previous discussions may be of interest to you:

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Unreasonable_review_times

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Factors_responsible_for_publication_timeline_among_leading_journal_outlets

https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_the_longest_period_in_of_years_and_months_you_ever_waited_to_have_your_article_published_after_being_notified_that_it_is_accepted

Peer review is a time-consuming process, and it is not unusual for it to take over 3 months to complete. If, even after a few more weeks, you neither get a conclusive response from the editor, nor find any change in status, it would be better to withdraw your paper.

For this, you will need to inform the Editor of your decision to withdraw and request a confirmation of the withdrawal. Do not submit your manuscript to another journal before you receive a confirmation of withdrawal from the Editor, as this can be considered as a case of duplicate or simultaneous submission.

Regards,

Everything was in chaos during the Corona crisis. You ask once what could be the tentative time for completion of the review process. If you do not receive a satisfactory reply just intimate them regarding withdrawal of the MS. If you do not get any reply within a reasonable time, submit your MS elsewhere afresh but preserve that mail for withdrawal in case you need it in future to defend yourself

You were waiting for a long time now, maybe there is a point to wait a bit more otherwise you will have to start a submission from the beginning and wait again. What was the decision after the last review-round? Minor revision or major revision? If you took an action according to the review you have a fair chance to be published soon.

Withdrawing is very easy.

I could very well understand your concern. Publishing is a time-consuming process. And, your case is very unique as you had already two revisions and still waiting for a decision for over a year.

I think as much time is already lost, you must ask the editors for a clear response, else, think positive and submit it to other journals.

But I think, a decision should come soon. Keep up the hope.

All the best.

Hi

i think it is unfortunate that peer reviewers took a long process to complete ones papers review...but other side i too understand their 24x7 engagements...so because of this there arises a gap....

For bridging this gap editors of journals should make one rule for every reviewer that this particular process should be completed within 25 days...if not it will be send to another reviewer...

I am in a similar situation. Thanks for highlighting Aruditya Jasrotia

Great thanks for sharing,i’m curious to know future events.

Update: The journal rejected the paper and gave the justification that we didn't make changes as per the previous review. But, the good part is that this stupidity is finally over.

Aruditya Jasrotia It is a very sorry state of affairs on the part of some journals. One of my papers was going revision process and I received four revisions one after another in a one-year duration. And you know the clumsy part is that after fourth resvision reviewers recommended the paper for publication but the editor said that the paper is not suitable for the journal and rejected it. LOL

I am sorry to hear about your experience. It is very unfortunate. Waiting for 5 months for 3rd review and then getting rejected. Sometimes reviews can be a very slow process. Sometimes editors are too busy and the paper falls off their radar.

In such cases, a good friend, who chief edits a few journals, recommends repeated asking for review process outcome.

Have you tried to ask, what is the specific problem in their changes review, which takes multiple months time?

It should be fine for all journals, that authors ask feedback, once a month or every second month.

There should be some check and balance.