Review Process

Editorial and Peer Review Process

OSURJ uses a double-blind peer-review process.

1. Submission
Authors submit a manuscript through OJS including:

  • Manuscript file

  • Cover letter describing the significance of the work

  • Publication rights agreement

a. Manuscripts must adhere to the formatting and style requirements in the OSURJ Submission Guidelines.
b. Authors must disclose any financial, academic, or personal conflicts of interest.
c. For research involving humans, animals, or biohazards, authors must confirm appropriate ethics approval.
d. All identifying information must be removed from the manuscript to maintain double-blind review.
e. Authors may withdraw their submission at any time by notifying the Editors-in-Chief in writing.

2. Initial Editorial Assessment
The Editors-in-Chief assess submissions for scope, academic quality, and originality.

a. Accepted for review → enters peer review
b. Rejected → with or without detailed feedback

Review Process

3. Reviewer Assignment
Managing Editors assign each manuscript to:

a. An Associate Reviewer (typically an undergraduate in the relevant discipline)
b. An Expert Reviewer (graduate student, postdoctoral fellow, or faculty member at the University of Ottawa)

c. All identifying metadata is removed prior to distribution to reviewers.
d. Reviewers and editors must recuse themselves where conflicts of interest exist.

4. Reviewer Evaluation
Reviewers independently assess the manuscript and provide written comments and a recommendation:

i. Accept as is
ii. Accept with minor revisions
iii. Accept with major revisions
iv. Reject

Authors may appeal a decision by submitting a written appeal to the Editors-in-Chief within 10 business days.

5. Editorial Decision and Revisions
The Editors-in-Chief consider reviewer recommendations and make the final editorial decision.

a. If revisions are required, comments are returned to the author.
b. Authors submit: the revised manuscript and response-to-reviewers document
c. Revised manuscripts may be returned to reviewers for further evaluation.
d. Additional review rounds may occur as needed.

6. Post-Acceptance Production
Following acceptance, the manuscript is copyedited, proofread, and typeset.

7. Translation
If applicable, the finalized manuscript may be translated into English or French depending on the original language of submission.

8. Proof Approval
The final proof is sent to the author for approval.