Submission is often treated as the final step in preparing a manuscript. In reality, it is the beginning of a structured and carefully managed process that determines whether a paper progresses toward publication or stops along the way.
At AB Journals, the editorial workflow is designed to ensure fairness, academic rigor, and ethical integrity. From the moment a manuscript is submitted, it moves through a sequence of stages, each with its own purpose and criteria. Understanding this process helps authors better position their work and anticipate what comes next.
The journey begins with submission, where authors provide their manuscript along with all required files and supporting information. However, submission does not guarantee progression to peer review. Every manuscript must first pass through an initial stage known as the pre-check.
During pre-check, editors assess whether the submission meets the journal’s fundamental requirements. This includes alignment with the journal’s scope, basic quality standards, completeness of files, and adherence to publication ethics. Manuscripts that do not meet these criteria may be returned to the author for correction or declined at this stage. This early screening ensures that only suitable and properly prepared submissions proceed further.
For manuscripts that pass pre-check, the next stage is peer review. AB Journals operates a double-blind review process, where both authors and reviewers remain anonymous to each other. Each manuscript is typically evaluated by at least two independent experts with relevant subject knowledge. At this stage, the focus shifts to a deeper assessment of the research, its methodology, validity, contribution, and relevance to the field.
Peer review does not always lead directly to acceptance. In many cases, reviewers and editors request revisions. These revisions are not simply edits; they are part of a structured process aimed at strengthening the manuscript. Authors are expected to respond clearly to all comments, explaining how each point has been addressed. Depending on the extent of the changes, the revised manuscript may be assessed by the editor or returned to reviewers for further evaluation.
Following review and revision, the manuscript moves to the editorial decision stage. Here, the handling editor, under the oversight of the Editor-in-Chief, makes a final determination. Decisions may include acceptance, minor or major revision, rejection with encouragement to resubmit, or outright rejection. These decisions are based not only on reviewer reports, but also on editorial judgment and the journal’s standards for quality, integrity, and relevance.
When a manuscript is accepted, it enters the production phase. This stage is often less visible to authors but is critical to ensuring the quality of the final publication. The manuscript undergoes copyediting, formatting, proofreading, and final checks. Authors may be asked to review proofs to correct any typographical or production errors before publication.
In parallel, the journal prepares the article’s metadata, including key details such as the title, author information, abstract, and keywords. A Digital Object Identifier (DOI) is assigned to ensure the article can be reliably cited and accessed. Metadata is also prepared for indexing and discovery services, supporting the visibility of the research within the academic community.
The final stage is publication. Once all requirements have been met, the article is published online as part of the journal’s official scholarly record. In line with AB Journals’ open access policy, published work is made freely and permanently accessible to readers.
What this process demonstrates is that publication is not a single decision point, but a sequence of evaluations. At each stage, a manuscript is assessed not only for its quality, but for its readiness, clarity, and alignment with the journal’s standards.
For authors, understanding what happens after submission is essential. It shows that successful publication depends not only on conducting strong research, but also on navigating each stage of the editorial process with clarity and precision.