The SST editor’s decision on submissions, including on the procedure and outcome of the review process, is final.
The SST editor will evaluate manuscripts with regard to the manuscript’s importance, originality, quality and clarity, and the study’s validity and its relevance to the journal's scope.
The SST editor selects appropriate peer reviewers but will consider any request for the exclusion of any specific reviewer (such as, for example, concern over conflict of interest)
Retraction or revision of published material is possible, when suitable reason is provided, at the discretion of the SST editor.
The editor and any SST editorial staff will not disclose any information about a submitted manuscript to be considered for publication to anyone other than the corresponding author(s), reviewers, potential reviewers and/or other editorial advisers, as appropriate.
The peer-reviewing process assists the SST editor and the SST editorial board in making editorial judgments and decisions, while also serving authors in improving their manuscript.
Any selected referee who feels unqualified to review the research reported in a manuscript or knows that its prompt review will be impossible should notify the editor and withdraw from the review process.
Any manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents. They must not be disclosed to, or discussed with others, except if and as authorised by the SST editor.
Reviews should be conducted impartially and objectively. Personal criticism of the author is inappropriate. Referees should express their views clearly, with supporting arguments.
Reviewers should identify cases in which relevant published work referred to in the manuscript has not been cited in the reference section. They should point out whether observations or arguments derived from other publications are accompanied by the respective source. Reviewers will notify the SST editor of any substantial similarity or overlap between the manuscript under consideration and any other published paper of which they have personal knowledge.
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These policies regarding Editorial and Reviewer Responsibilities have been adopted by SST from those of the Code of Conduct and Best-Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors (Committee on Publication Ethics, 2011).