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Becoming a reviewer
We welcome experienced scholars and researchers to join our team of reviewers. To become a reviewer for ATA Press, you should meet specific qualifications and demonstrate expertise in your field.
Here’s how to get started:
Qualifications: Reviewers should possess an advanced degree in their field and have a strong publication record.
Expertise: You should have a deep understanding of the subject matter you wish to review.
Application: Fill out our online application form, providing details about your qualifications and areas of expertise.
Selection: Our editorial team will review your application and, if suitable, invite you to join our reviewer pool.
We may also reach out to you for potential peer review opportunities in your field of expertise.
Please keep in mind that filling out this form does not guarantee that you will receive invitations to review. Our editorial team carefully selects reviewers for each manuscript. In every instance, we strive to invite the most qualified experts in the respective field.
Peer Review at ATA Press
At ATA Press, we take the peer review process seriously. Our reviewers are expected to maintain a high level of objectivity, confidentiality, and adhere to ethical guidelines in conducting their review. The reviewing process typically involves the following steps:
Assignment: Reviewers are assigned manuscripts that align with their expertise.
Evaluation: Reviewers critically assess the manuscript, considering its quality, originality, and contribution to the field.
Feedback: Constructive feedback is provided to authors to help them improve their work.
Recommendation: Reviewers recommend acceptance, revision, or rejection based on their assessment.
Conducting Peer Review
When conducting a peer review for ATA Press, it is crucial to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the submission. We expect reviewer reports to go beyond brief comments. While we do not prescribe a specific structure for your reports, we suggest the following format:
- Summary
- Major Issues
- Minor Issues
We aim to support authors in enhancing their manuscripts. so we encourage reviewers to offer constructive feedback, especially when suggesting revisions. If there are comments that reviewers prefer to keep confidential from the authors, these can be included in the confidential section for the Editor’s eyes only.
Although expectations can vary by discipline, here are some fundamental aspects that reviewers should consider when evaluating a submission:
- Is the title clear, informative and relevant?
- Are the research questions well-defined?
- Is the sample size adequate?
- Has the research received the necessary ethical approval and/or consent, and was it conducted ethically?
- Are the methods and study design suitable for addressing the research questions?
- Are there appropriate controls in the experiments?
- Is the reporting of methods, including equipment and materials, detailed enough for replication?
- Are any statistical tests used appropriately and correctly reported?
- Do figures and tables effectively convey the results?
- Is the literature review comprehensive and well-organized?
- Are citations appropriate, supporting the claims made, and not overly self-referential?
- Do the results align with the conclusions?
- Are the limitations of the research acknowledged?
- Does the abstract provide an accurate summary of the research without embellishment?
- Is the language clear and easily understood?
To ensure timely reviews, we request that reviewer reports be submitted through the online publishing system on or before the agreed-upon deadline. If reviewers anticipate any difficulty meeting this deadline, we encourage them to contact our Editorial team to arrange an alternative date.
We emphasize that reviewers should concentrate their assessments on the scientific and academic rigour of the submission, including the robustness of the methodology and the alignment of conclusions with results. At the conclusion of their review, we ask reviewers to recommend one of the following actions:
- Publish Unaltered
- Consider after Minor Changes
- Consider After Major Changes
- Reject
Please note that the final decision will ultimately be made by the journal’s Editor or Academic Editors.
For a more comprehensive guide to peer review at ATA Press, please check our Peer Review Checklist, which you can download below.
ATA Press Guidelines for Reporting
While ATA Press does not enforce the use of reporting guidelines, we strongly recommend that reviewers consider relevant reporting guidelines when evaluating submissions.
To assist in this endeavour, you can find a valuable resource in the EQUATOR Network, which offers clinical guidelines, and FAIRsharing, which provides guidelines for clinical and general science. We particularly encourage the use of the following guidelines for specific study types:
- CONSORT for randomized controlled trials
- SRQR / COREQ for qualitative research
- TREND for non-randomized trials
- PRISMA for systematic review and meta-analyses
- CARE for case reports
- STROBE for observational studies
- STREGA for genetic association studies
- STARD for diagnostic accuracy studies
- ARRIVE for animal experiments
General Guidelines for Reviewers
Adherence to Publication Ethics
At ATA Press, we uphold the highest standards of publication ethics. We therefore require all our peer reviewers to strictly adhere to the guidelines set forth by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) for peer reviewers. These guidelines outline best practices in the peer review process, ensuring fairness, integrity, and the ethical conduct of reviews.
Reviewers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the COPE Ethical Guidelines for Peer Reviewers to ensure that their evaluations align with these principles. If, during the review process, you encounter any concerns related to publication ethics, we kindly request that you promptly bring them to the attention of our Research Integrity & Ethics team.
Conflicts of Interest Disclosure
The integrity and transparency in the peer review process are of utmost importance to us. To maintain the highest ethical standards, reviewers are expected to promptly address any potential conflicts of interest. Reviewers should refrain from evaluating a submission when any of the following conditions apply:
Recent Publication or Current Submission: If you have recently co-authored a publication or submitted a manuscript with any of the authors.
Shared or Recent Affiliation: If you share or have recently shared an institutional affiliation with any of the authors.
Collaboration or Recent Collaboration: If you have collaborated with any of the authors on research or other projects in the recent past.
Close Personal Connection: If you have a close personal relationship with any of the authors that could compromise your objectivity.
Financial Interest: If you have a financial stake in the subject matter addressed in the submission.
Inability to Maintain Objectivity: If, for any reason, you feel unable to provide an objective review.
- Other Interests: If you have any other non-financial conflicts of interest (confidential, political, religious, academic commercial or any other) with any of the authors.
Reviewers are required to disclose any remaining interests in the ‘Confidential’ section of the review form. These disclosures will be carefully considered by the editor in charge of the manuscript.
Furthermore, reviewers should indicate if they have had prior discussions about the manuscript with the authors.
We encourage reviewers to comment on any conflicts of interest declared by the authors. If you suspect that authors have not fully disclosed financial, institutional, commercial, personal, ideological, or academic interests, we ask that you raise these concerns in your reviewer report. Your vigilance in this matter helps maintain the ethical standards and credibility of our peer review process.
Confidentiality
At ATA Press, we prioritize the strict confidentiality of manuscripts during the peer review process. Reviewers are expected to adhere to the following guidelines:
Confidentiality Obligation: Reviewers must treat all manuscripts as strictly confidential documents. Under no circumstances should reviewers share the manuscripts or discuss their content with individuals who are not part of the peer review process.
Consultation with Colleagues: If a reviewer wishes to consult with colleagues from their research group regarding a manuscript, they may do so upon request. However, the confidentiality of the manuscript must be rigorously maintained. Reviewers should first contact ATA Press or the Academic Editor responsible for the manuscript and indicate the names of the colleague(s) in the ‘Comments to the editor’ section of their review report.
Anonymous Review: By default, reviewers will remain anonymous to the authors. Reviewers should not disclose their identity unless they explicitly choose to do so by signing their review report.
These measures are in place to safeguard the integrity of the peer review process and ensure the privacy of the manuscript’s contents. Your commitment to maintaining confidentiality is crucial in upholding the trust and credibility of ATA Press’s peer review system.
Benefits for Reviewers
We understand the key role peer reviewers play in guaranteeing the highest standards of quality and integrity in scholarly publishing. As we invite you to join our network of peer reviewers, we are excited to offer you a wealth of benefits that will not only enhance your career but also contribute to the advancement of African scholarship on the global stage. Check some of the benefits that ATA Press offers:
- Enhance your professional development and critical skills.
- Participate in a transparent and streamlined peer review process.
- Ensure high ethical standards, fairness, and objectivity in scholarly publishing.
- Expand your academic network by collaborating with fellow scholars and experts.
- Become part of a community dedicated to upholding research integrity.
- Enjoy up to 50% discounts on article processing charges (APC) for your publications.
- Gain recognition with your name and affiliation published in journals and on the website.
- Receive annual peer reviewer certificates and recommendation letters.
- Contribute to elevating the quality and global impact of African scholarship.
- Access continuous training and support through workshops and sessions.
Becoming an ATA Press peer reviewer is an invitation to shape the future of academic publishing in Africa and beyond. By joining us, you not only enhance your professional experience but also contribute significantly to the dissemination of African knowledge on a global scale.
Take the next step in your academic career with ATA Press. Together, we are contributing towards a brighter academic future for Africa and the world.
We empower and uplift scholars across Africa
By embracing an open access charter, we are able to provide impactful publishing services that support African researchers in a manner that is affordable, culturally relevant, and innovative.
Quality & Excellence
ATA Press commitment to quality is unwavering. We ensure that your research is held to the highest academic standards, providing a reputable platform for your scholarly work. Our experienced editorial teams are committed to nurturing your research -- with utmost care and integrity.
Wider Reach & Impact
Our platform connects African scholars with the world, increasing the visibility and impact of your work. Through open access, your research will be easily accessible freely to scholars, students, and the general public ensuring full realization of its potential. Gain recognition and build your academic reputation with us.
Impactful Research
From science to humanities, engineering, or any other field, we provide a platform for all disciplines to thrive. Your work will find its audience on ATA Press. We are committed to promoting research that addresses key local challenges. Your work contributes to solutions that shapes Africa's future, benefit academia, and drive positive change.
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Besides adopting latest digital initiative in journals and books, we also offer opportunities for both seasoned scholars and early-career researchers further develop their expertise through webinars, conferences, and online training. Expand your reach and impact with ATA Press.
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We believe in delivering exceptional value for every author. With our affordable publishing offering, you get the most out of your investment in academic publishing. Our value-driven model means you can publish your work without breaking the bank
Responsive Support Team
Our dedicated team of support staff readily available to assist you at every step of the publishing journey. From manuscript submission to post-publication promotion, we ensure you have a seamless and impactful experience.
