Double-Blind Peer Review Process

Turkish Journal of Pediatric Surgery employs a rigorous double-blind peer review process to ensure the integrity, quality, and objectivity of published research. Under this system, both the identities of the authors and the reviewers remain anonymous throughout the review process.

Submission and Initial Screening

Upon submission, manuscripts undergo an initial editorial screening to assess:

• Compliance with the journal's scope and aims
• Adherence to submission guidelines and ethical standards
• Originality check using plagiarism detection software

Manuscripts that do not meet these criteria may be rejected without peer review.

Review Process

1. Manuscripts passing the initial screening are assigned to a handling editor with relevant expertise.
2. The handling editor invites at least two independent reviewers who are experts in the relevant field.
3. Reviewers are asked to evaluate the manuscript based on:
   • Scientific rigor and validity of methodology
   • Originality and significance of findings
   • Clarity of presentation and quality of writing
   • Appropriateness of conclusions based on the data presented
   • Ethical considerations and compliance with reporting guidelines
4. Reviewers provide their recommendations within 3-4 weeks.
5. Based on reviewer feedback, the handling editor makes one of the following decisions:
   • Accept without revision
   • Accept with minor revisions
   • Major revisions required
   • Reject

Author Revisions

Authors are expected to respond to reviewer comments within 30 days for minor revisions and 60 days for major revisions. A detailed point-by-point response to each reviewer comment must accompany the revised manuscript.

Confidentiality

All manuscripts are treated as confidential documents. Reviewers are required to:

• Maintain strict confidentiality of the manuscript content
• Not share or discuss the manuscript with others
• Declare any potential conflicts of interest
• Decline to review if they suspect they can identify the authors

Appeals

Authors who believe their manuscript was wrongly rejected may submit an appeal to the Editor-in-Chief within 30 days of the decision. Appeals must include a detailed rebuttal addressing each point raised by the reviewers. The editorial decision on the appeal is final.

Timeframe

The journal aims to complete the peer review process within 6-8 weeks from submission. Authors are notified of the editorial decision via email.