All manuscripts submitted to the journal are acknowledged.

The article is then assessed internally before being sent to an external clinical expert for double-blind peer review. This means that the reviewers do not know who the authors are and the authors are not informed who the reviewers are.

Some people think this helps to ensure the manuscript is given an objective and unbiased review; others see open, as opposed to double-blind, review as being more honest. Nursing Children and Young People, for example, operates an open peer review system. More information about this can be obtained by contacting the journal editor.

Reviewers advise the editor who is responsible for the final decision. To be accepted the article needs to be:

• Original.
• Have a message that is important to the readership.
• And, in the case of original research, demonstrate appropriate rigour.

Reviewers give an informed or expert opinion on the work of an informed or expert author, which is why it is called ‘peer’ review.

It takes about 12 weeks from acknowledgement to receive a response. Responses may be:

• Acceptance without revision.
• A request for minor or major revision.
• A letter explaining that your manuscript has not been accepted for publication.

Further information

• Contact journal editors through the section Exploring our journals
• Interested in becoming a reviewer? Find out more here.