Review Process
Once the manuscript has been registered (as a regular or a special issue one), the author will receive a manuscript number from the online editorial support system, the Copernicus Office Editor, and has to upload the manuscript files in accordance with the Manuscript Submission.
- The Copernicus Office Editor performs an incoming inspection of the submitted files and consults the author where necessary.
- In order to speed up the reviewing process, authors are encouraged to submit a pdf file of the entire manuscript and of the abstract file (see Technical Instructions for LaTeX or MS WORD). The files may not contain the names and affiliations of the authors (double-blind review process).
- The Copernicus Office Editor assigns the manuscript to an editor/special issue editor covering the relevant subject areas. She/he gets access to the entire manuscript.
- The editor/special issue editor suggests/selects at least 3 independent referees online. Once a referee has agreed, she/he receives the manuscript without the names of the authors and their affiliation (double-blind review process).
- Once at least 2 independent referees' reports have been completed, the Copernicus Office Editor approaches the editor/special issue editor to study these reports and to compile her/his editor's report online. In this report, the editor/special issue editor decides on the status of the manuscript from "accepted as is" to "not acceptable".
- The Copernicus Office Editor contacts the author of the manuscript and provides a link to the editor's and, if necessary, to the referees' reports, which do not contain the names of the referees (double-blind review process).
- Major revisions are treated as new submissions, whereas minor revisions are immediately transferred to the Publication Production Office or after the corresponding editor/special issue editor has accepted the changes, respectively.
- The peer-review status of each manuscript is summarized, step-by-step, in the Manuscript Evaluation Status Report. Also editors/special issue editors and authors have access to parts of their concern.
