Peer review

Before Modern Asian Studies sends a submission out for external peer review, it is assessed internally by the editors to determine whether the submission falls within the journal’s remit and meets basic standards for academic publishing. Should a manuscript fail in either of these regards, it will be rejected without undergoing external peer review.

If the editors decide to proceed with external peer review, it will be evaluated by at least two readers on a double-anonymous basis. The journal categorically refuses all requests to reveal reviewers’ identities.

Contributors are welcome to recommend the names of potential qualified reviewers who are at ‘arm’s length’ from the author and, more importantly, the names of potential reviewers whom they would prefer to be excluded from consideration. The journal, however, is under no obligation to honour these requests. The journal also maintains the right to add or change reviewers at any stage during the review process as circumstance dictates.

The journal does not usually relay readers’ reports for manuscripts that are rejected.

Turnaround time

It generally takes four to five months for a manuscript to receive its first set of reviewers’ reports. Occasionally this takes longer if it proves difficult to find two willing readers whose competence falls within the requisite areas or when a reviewer who has previously agreed to report on a manuscript fails to do so.

Appeals

To appeal an editorial decision, please contact the Editors (at modernasianstudies@cambridge.org) and specify the reason for your appeal. 

Your appeal will be reviewed by the Editors and/or an Editor who did not review the manuscript. The final decision regarding your appeal will rest with the ASS Editors and Advisory Board.