The practice of peer review is intended to ensure that only good science is published. Our reviewers play a vital role in maintaining the high standards of the Visualita, which is why all incoming manuscripts are peer reviewed following the procedure outlined below.

Initial manuscript evaluation
One of the Chief Editors first evaluates all submitted manuscripts. It is rare, but it is possible for an exceptional manuscript to be accepted at this stage. Manuscripts rejected at this stage are insufficiently original, have serious scientific flaws, have poor grammar or are outside the aims and scope of the journal. Those that meet the minimum criteria are normally passed on to reviewer for reviewing.

Authors of manuscripts rejected at this stage will usually be informed within four weeks of receipt.

Type of peer review
The Visualita employs peer reviewing, in which the reviewer remain anonymous to the author(s) throughout and following the reviewing process, whilst the identity of the author(s) is likewise unknown to the reviewers.

How the reviewer is selected
Whenever possible, reviewer are matched to the paper according to their expertise.

Review reports
Reviewer are asked to evaluate whether the manuscript:

• Is original as to thought and method (including data)
• Is methodologically sound
• Has results which are clearly presented and support the conclusions
• Correctly and exhaustively references previous relevant work
• Follows appropriate ethical guidelines, especially as concerns plagiarism
• Clearly adds to the knowledge and development of the field

  Language correction is not part of the peer review process, but reviewer are encouraged to suggest corrections of language and style to the manuscript. In the final round, the handling Editor will check matters of linguistic and stylistic correctness, and may suggest or apply corrections at this point. In rare cases, the manuscript may be returned to the author(s) for a full linguistic and stylistic revision.
  
  How long does the review process take?
  The time required for the review process is dependent on the response of the reviewer. For the Visualita, the typical time for the reviewing process is approximately 6 weeks, with a maximum of three months. The handling Editor’s decision will be sent to the author with the reviewer recommendations, usually including the latter’s verbatim comments.
  
  Final report
  A final decision to accept or reject the manuscript will be sent to the author along with the recommendations made by the reviewer, including (if applicable) the latter’s verbatim comments.
  
  The Editor's in Chief decision is final
  Reviewers advise the Editor in Chief, who is responsible for the final decision to accept or reject the article.

  note: adapted from https://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-pragmatics/policies/peer-review-policy-for-the-journal-of-pragmatics/