PEER REVIEW PROCESS
PEER REVIEW PROCESS
Articles submitted to Media Wisata (ISSN: 1693-5969; E-ISSN: 2685-8436) are evaluated through a transparent and rigorous editorial and peer-review process to ensure the quality, originality, relevance, and scientific integrity of published articles.
Initial Editorial Screening
Every submitted manuscript is first examined by the editorial team to determine:
- conformity with the focus and scope of Media Wisata;
- compliance with the Author Guidelines and manuscript template;
- completeness of the manuscript and required declarations;
- originality and compliance with publication ethics;
- suitability of the research topic and manuscript type; and
- basic scientific and methodological quality.
The editorial team may reject a manuscript at this stage if it is outside the journal's scope, does not meet essential submission requirements, has serious methodological or ethical deficiencies, or does not comply with the journal's publication policies.
A similarity check may be conducted using appropriate similarity-detection software. The maximum similarity threshold established by Media Wisata is 10%, subject to editorial assessment. A similarity index is used as a screening indicator and does not, by itself, determine whether plagiarism has occurred.
The initial editorial screening is normally completed within 1–2 weeks.
Peer Review
Manuscripts that pass the initial editorial screening are sent to at least two independent reviewers with relevant expertise.
Media Wisata applies a single-blind peer-review model, in which the identities of reviewers are not disclosed to authors. Reviewers are expected to evaluate manuscripts objectively, confidentially, and independently.
Reviewers are selected based on their expertise, relevance to the manuscript topic, academic qualifications, and absence of identifiable conflicts of interest.
The normal review period is 3–8 weeks, although the actual duration may vary depending on reviewer availability, manuscript complexity, and the need for additional review.
Reviewers may recommend:
- Accept Submission – the manuscript can be accepted for publication with no or only minor editorial adjustments;
- Minor Revision – the manuscript requires limited revisions before a final decision;
- Major Revision – substantial revisions are required and the manuscript may be subject to further review;
- Resubmit for Review – the manuscript requires substantial improvement and will be reconsidered after revision; or
- Reject Submission – the manuscript does not meet the journal's scientific, methodological, ethical, or scope requirements.
A manuscript may be returned to the same or another reviewer after revision when the Editor considers additional assessment necessary.
Review Criteria
Reviewers evaluate manuscripts based on the following criteria:
- relevance to the focus and scope of Media Wisata;
- clarity and significance of the research problem and objectives;
- adequacy of the literature review, state of the art, research gap, and novelty;
- appropriateness and rigor of the research design and methodology;
- clarity and adequacy of data sources, participants, instruments, and analytical procedures;
- validity and clarity of research results;
- quality of interpretation and discussion in relation to previous research and theory;
- consistency between research objectives, findings, discussion, and conclusions;
- contribution and implications of the research for tourism, hospitality, education, science, policy, practice, or society, as relevant;
- quality and appropriateness of references and citations; and
- compliance with research ethics and publication ethics.
Reviewers may also provide specific comments and recommendations to assist authors in improving the manuscript.
Editorial Decision
The Editor-in-Chief or designated editor makes the final editorial decision by considering the reviewers' recommendations, the quality of the revised manuscript, and the journal's editorial policies.
The editorial decision is independent of any individual reviewer's recommendation. Where reviewer recommendations differ substantially, the editor may request an additional review or conduct further editorial assessment before making a decision.
The possible final decisions are accept, accept with revision, request further revision/review, or reject.
Revision and Re-Review
Authors are required to respond to reviewers' comments and revise the manuscript within the period specified by the editorial team.
Authors should provide a clear response to each substantive reviewer comment and indicate the changes made in the revised manuscript where appropriate.
A revised manuscript may be returned to the original reviewers for re-evaluation, particularly when major revisions have been requested.
Confidentiality and Research Integrity
All manuscripts submitted for peer review are treated as confidential documents. Reviewers must not disclose, distribute, reproduce, or use unpublished information contained in a manuscript for personal or professional purposes.
Reviewers must declare any actual, potential, or perceived conflict of interest and should decline the review when such a conflict could compromise their objectivity.
Reviewers are expected to provide constructive, evidence-based, and professional assessments and must not use the peer-review process to obtain personal, financial, or competitive advantage.
Use of Generative AI in Peer Review
Reviewers and editors must maintain the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and must not upload unpublished manuscripts, reviewer reports, or other confidential editorial materials to publicly accessible or third-party generative AI systems when doing so could compromise confidentiality, intellectual property, or research integrity.
Generative AI tools must not be used as a substitute for the reviewer's or editor's professional judgment. Reviewers remain fully responsible for the content, accuracy, fairness, and confidentiality of their review reports.
Any permitted use of AI-assisted tools must comply with the Media Wisata Generative AI Policy and applicable ethical standards.
Publication after Acceptance
After final acceptance, the manuscript proceeds to copyediting, layout, proofreading, and publication preparation.
The editorial team may make necessary language, formatting, and technical corrections without altering the scientific substance of the article. Authors may be asked to approve the final proof before publication.
Articles are published according to the journal's publication schedule. Where the journal uses an In Progress publication mechanism, an accepted article may be made available online after completion of the required editorial and production processes and before the completion of the regular issue, in accordance with the journal's publication policy.
Publication decisions are based on scientific and editorial quality and are not influenced by the author's identity, institutional affiliation, nationality, gender, religion, political views, or other irrelevant personal characteristics.
