Peer Review

Witness employs a double-masked peer review process. All submissions commence with an initial assessed by the editor  (or designate) for suitability, congruence and fit with the intended scope of  the journal. Additionally, submissions are pre-screened for strength of scholarly writing, manuscript organization etc.  Submissions deemed suitable are sent to a minimum of two independent expert reviewers to assess the scholarly quality of the paper and provide collegial direction to prospective authors and advisement to the journal. The  Editor is responsible for the final decision regarding acceptance or rejection of articles. The Editor's decision is final. 

Peer Review is an important and essential component of scholarly publishing. Witness makes use of a double-masked peer review process utilizing members of the editorial advisory collective and editor-invited reviewers who: 

• Have an earned doctoral degree;
• Demonstrate a track record of scholarly publishing;
• Demonstrate sustained competence in publishing original work that contributes to the development and application of critical nursing discourse;
• Agree to fulsomely review and uphold the ethical principles of peer review as outlined in the Council on Publication Ethics found at:  https://publicationethics.org/files/Ethical_Guidelines_For_Peer_Reviewers_2.pdf; and
• Willingness to complete reviews , ensuring a focus on capacity-building of potential authors, within approximately 3 weeks of being invited.

NOTE: Appeals Process
The decision on a paper is final and cannot be appealed.