Open Christian Press (OCP) - Peer Review Policy

Peer Review Policy

At Open Christian Press, we uphold peer review as a sacred academic responsibility—a process rooted in humility, discernment, and accountability. Our review system is designed not only to ensure scholarly rigor, but also to foster constructive dialogue and mutual refinement between authors, reviewers, and editors.

We use a single-blind peer review model across all our journals, meaning that reviewers remain anonymous to authors, but reviewers can see the authors' identities. This model encourages honest feedback while allowing reviewers to evaluate the work in its scholarly and contextual fullness.

Review Process Overview

Once a manuscript is submitted:

Initial Editorial Screening
The journal’s editor or managing editor conducts a preliminary review to ensure the submission aligns with the journal’s scope, adheres to basic content structure (abstract, introduction, methodology, findings, conclusion), and meets ethical and formatting expectations. Manuscripts that fail this basic check may be returned without peer review.
Reviewer Assignment
If the submission passes initial screening, it is sent to one or more qualified reviewers with relevant subject matter expertise. Reviewers are selected based on academic credentials, previous publications, and familiarity with the manuscript’s topic.
Peer Review (Single-Blind)
Manuscripts are evaluated under OCP’s single-blind model using our Reviewer Guidelines, with attention to originality, contribution, structure, completeness, ethical soundness, and clarity. Editors aim to provide an initial decision within 2–3 days, and where external review is sought, reviewers provide constructive, informed feedback with timelines communicated by the editor
Editorial Decision
After receiving the reviewer reports, the editor considers the feedback and makes one of the following decisions:
- Accept
- Accept with revisions
- Reject
The editor may consult additional reviewers or editorial board members in cases where reviews are conflicting or unclear.
Author Revisions
If revisions are requested, the author is invited to revise the manuscript and submit a response letter explaining how reviewer comments were addressed. Revised manuscripts may be returned to the original reviewer(s) or re-evaluated by the editor.
Final Decision and Acceptance
Once revisions meet the required standard, the manuscript is accepted for publication. The final version undergoes light copyediting and formatting before being published online with an assigned DOI.

2. Ethical Safeguards

Our process is guided by strict confidentiality, impartiality, and respect. Editors and reviewers must recuse themselves if they recognize a conflict of interest, and authors are expected to disclose any funding sources or potential biases in their submission.

Manuscripts will never be accepted or rejected on the basis of ideological conformity, institutional affiliation, or geographical origin. Decisions are based solely on scholarly merit and alignment with the journal’s purpose.

3. Appeals and Disagreements

Authors who believe that a manuscript was unfairly reviewed may submit a written appeal to the editorial team. Appeals will be handled respectfully and reviewed by a third party when necessary. While decisions are final, we are committed to fairness and transparency.

If you have any questions about our peer review process or wish to serve as a reviewer or editor, please contact us at editor@openchristian.education.

We thank all authors and reviewers for participating in a process that refines thought, deepens scholarship, and honors the pursuit of truth.

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Peer Review Policy

Review Process Overview

2. Ethical Safeguards

3. Appeals and Disagreements

Submit at editor@openchristian.education