1. Acta Via Serica uses a double-blind peer review process whereby the identities of the manuscript author(s) and selected reviewers are concealed from one another. All details that may enable identification are removed from the manuscript and from the reviewers’ comments to the author(s). Double-blind peer review helps to limit potential bias and ensures objective assessment of articles.

2. Acta Via Serica employs a three-stage peer review process for each article, consisting of an editorial office review, external review and finally the editor’s decision. The editorial office initially assesses each submission to ensure that it meets Acta Via Serica’s minimum requirements before being sent for external review. At this stage, the manuscript is reviewed for plagiarism, for content matching the journal’s scope, for proper English language syntax, and for inclusion of key components of an academic paper including an introductory thesis, literature review, description of methods, discussion of results, conclusion, and list of references. At this stage, manuscripts may be returned to the author(s) for modification and resubmission.

3. The second stage of the review process employs the double-blind review system. Acta Via Serica’s editorial staff scour leading publications to find and contact the world’s preeminent experts in the subject area of the manuscript. Potential referees receive an abstract and an invitation to review the manuscript. Upon acceptance, they receive the full text of an anonymized manuscript along with a review form, which they are requested to complete and return with comments within one month.

4. Reviewers score the manuscript in terms of originality, contribution to the field, literature review, methodology, writing style, analysis and findings, and conclusion and reach one of the following assessments: Accept, Accept with minor revisions, Accept with major revisions, or Reject.

5. Reviewers are also requested to provide comments, either on the evaluation form or on a copy of the manuscript. The editorial office reviews referee comments, adds further recommendations, and sends the anonymized reviewer comments to the author(s), who are instructed to revise and return the manuscript, accompanied by a list of referee comments and author responses.

6. Upon receipt of the revised submission, Acta Via Serica’s editor determines whether to accept or revise or reject the manuscript. Accepted manuscripts undergo thorough copy editing to ensure factual correctness and correct formatting, spelling, grammar, flow, style, and punctuation, so that  he writing is clear and easy to understand. The editor reserves the right whether or not to publish any material and to edit final versions of manuscripts to conform to standard journal style, format, and conciseness.

DISCLAIMER

Articles in Acta Via Serica represents neither the views of Academia Via Serica nor those of the editorial board. The editor is responsible for the final selection of the contents of each issue and reserves the right to reject any material deemed inappropriate for publications. Responsibility for opinions expressed and for the accuracy of facts published in articles and reviews rests solely with the individual authors.