Peer Review Process

DARAS: Journal of Education and Learning employs a double-blind peer review process to ensure the objectivity, impartiality, and quality of all published articles. Under this process, the identities of both authors and reviewers are concealed from each other throughout the entire review process.

Stage 1: Initial Screening

Research articles or manuscripts submitted to DARAS: Journal of Education and Learning are initially reviewed by the editors for:

  • General fit with the journal’s focus and scope
  • Writing quality and adherence to the author guidelines
  • Compliance with the double-blind review preparation requirements
  • Originality check using plagiarism detection software
⚠ Note: Those manuscripts that are judged by the editors to be inappropriate or do not meet the journal’s scope and formatting requirements are rejected promptly (desk rejection) without external reviews. Authors will be notified of the decision within 1–2 weeks after submission.

Stage 2: Double-Blind Peer Review

Only those research articles meeting the DARAS: Journal of Education and Learning focus and scope will be sent to reviewers for a double-blind review. The review process follows the procedures outlined below:

  • Two reviewers will be assigned to evaluate each research article or manuscript on the basis of their expertise in the relevant field.
  • Reviewers are expected to return their reviews within 4–6 weeks.
  • A third reviewer will be appointed in case the two initial reviewers disagree upon the quality of the research article for publication.
  • The assigned reviewers evaluate the research articles by using a standard manuscript evaluation form.
  • Reviewers are required to treat all the information in the research articles as strictly confidential.
ⓘ Review Criteria: Reviewers evaluate manuscripts based on the following criteria:
  • Significance and relevance to education and learning
  • Conceptual/theoretical framework
  • Appropriateness and rigor of research methods
  • Quality and validity of findings/results
  • Clarity of discussion and conclusions
  • Overall contribution to the field
  • Writing quality, composition, and clarity
  • Proper citation and referencing (APA 7th edition)

Stage 3: Editorial Decision

Views of the assigned reviewers serve as a guide to DARAS: Journal of Education and Learning’s editors to make a final decision on the research articles. The final decision always belongs to the editors. The editors then make a decision based on the reviewers’ advice, from among several possibilities:

✅ Accepted
The manuscript is accepted as written without any revisions. The manuscript will proceed directly to copyediting and publication.
???? Minor Revisions
The manuscript is accepted with minor revisions. Authors are required to address the reviewers’ comments and resubmit the revised manuscript. A second round of review is not necessary.
⚠ Major Revisions
The manuscript is accepted with major revisions. Authors are required to substantially revise the manuscript and address all reviewers’ comments. A second round of review will be necessary. The revised manuscript will be sent back to the original reviewers for re-evaluation.
❌ Rejected
The manuscript is not suitable for publication in DARAS: Journal of Education and Learning. Authors will receive detailed feedback from the reviewers explaining the reasons for rejection.

Stage 4: Revision and Resubmission

If revisions are required (minor or major), authors must:

  • Address all reviewer comments and suggestions point by point.
  • Prepare a detailed response letter explaining the changes made and providing justification for any reviewer suggestions not incorporated.
  • Highlight or track all changes made in the revised manuscript.
  • Resubmit the revised manuscript within the specified timeframe:
    • Minor revisions: within 2 weeks
    • Major revisions: within 4 weeks

Stage 5: Final Decision and Publication

After evaluating the revised manuscript and the author’s response to reviewer comments, the editor makes the final decision on acceptance or rejection. Accepted manuscripts will proceed to:

  • Copyediting: Language and formatting review
  • Proofreading: Authors review the final proof
  • Publication: The article is published online

Review Process Flowchart

Manuscript Submission

↓
Stage 1: Initial Screening by Editor (1–2 weeks)

↓
Desk Rejection
↓
Proceed to Review
↓
Stage 2: Double-Blind Peer Review (4–6 weeks)

↓
Stage 3: Editorial Decision

✅ Accepted
???? Minor Revisions
⚠ Major Revisions
❌ Rejected
↓
Stage 4: Revision & Resubmission (if applicable)

↓
Stage 5: Final Decision & Publication

Estimated Review Timeline

Stage Process Estimated Duration Responsible
1 Initial Screening 1–2 weeks Editor
2 Double-Blind Peer Review 4–6 weeks Reviewers
3 Editorial Decision 1–2 weeks Editor
4 Revision & Resubmission 2–4 weeks Authors
5 Final Decision & Publication 1–2 weeks Editor & Authors
✅ Total Estimated Review Time: Approximately 8–16 weeks from submission to final decision (depending on the extent of revisions required).

For further inquiries regarding the peer review process, please contact the editorial team of DARAS: Journal of Education and Learning at contact.idresearch@gmail.com.