DEEP EDUCATION PRESS / DEEP UNIVERSITY PRESS 

PEER REVIEW PROCESS

​Writing a book is more than placing on paper a stream of ideas, or a series  observations, descriptions or recommendations. Before the manuscript accepted for review, the chief editor pre-reads the manuscript to see if the book project matches the focus of the press and has potential.  It should preferably reach a wide audience and be of interest to an transdisciplinary readership.

Peer review is the process by which Referees—whose expertise is in the domain targeted by the proposed manuscript—advise book editors on the quality, originality, potential impacts and relevance of manuscripts submitted by authors and book editors. It is an intellectual means of quality control. Peer review is to maintain quality standards, improve writing effectiveness, and provide credibility. It allows the university press to select and clarify the very best in the field.

A university press adjusts its book lists in several fashions: specialized scholarly book, which may have few sales but make an important contribution to the field of study;  scholarly book with greater sales potential due to the number of readers in their generic fields, from students to laypersons;  and the general trade in which informed book are accessible to a large audience. As well, the press develops certain subject areas and focused topics. This allows us to bring significant contributions in areas of developing knowledge, and new intellectual projects and fields.

The manuscripts are assigned to experts who take overall responsibility for the peer-review process.  Deep Education Press and Deep University Press have Book Series editors that may adapt slightly the way of proceeding in the review process. They follow these guidelines:
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The process is a double-blind peer-review. Manuscripts are sent to reviewers with expertise in the area of the book. The cover page of the manuscript and the author’s name are deleted from the copies sent to the referees, and the referees’ names do not show up on the comments sent to the authors.

At least two reviews are required for each book proposal, and for each book chapter in edited books. Referees are selected for their knowledge of the field; some are part of our scientific board, others may be added depending the topic and the specialty. The authors should feel free to recommend Referees. Referees have three weeks to send their comments. Decisions are made  within 4 to 6 weeks of submission; therefore we ask Referees to submit their report promptly.

The book manuscript has a major focus and thesis, and help solve a precise problem or issue.  Its central theme is clearly stated in the introduction with a definition of the key terms. Please avoid jargon as much as possible; explain the technical terms and illustrate them if needed. Ask a non-specialist for feedback.

The scope of the book is discussed as well as its implications, which go beyond description toward analysis, explanation, and synthesis. Your conceptual framework is presented and the link between theory, methods and analytics is clarified. Issue are presented from various perspectives whose merits and flaws are discussed. Your position is clearly stated with its rationale. 

Simply compiling data does not make a book. Your in-depth presentation is detailed and adequately documented with sound resources from the literature, with enough data to be compelling yet not flooding the manuscript with data, as analysis and interpretation are important.

Your conclusion should be compelling, include a detailed summary of the book and of its value, draw specific conclusions with policy recommendations. Indicate what issues remain unsolved and could lead to future research. Use careful referencing using the style of the American Psychological Association (APA); for example, page numbers are required for quotes.
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Reviewers submit helpful comments which are sent to the author to ease any needed rewriting. Often authors forgot to add structural information on the text itself. The text metastructures must be highlighted to help the reader follow the demonstration. Each chapter must have an introduction and a conclusion; each chapter section should be presented and its contents should be summarized and discussed at the end of the section with a bridge to the next section. Revised manuscripts may be resubmitted with an accompanying message detailing the changes requested and the action taken (or the author’s argument for retaining the original text).
The decision on whether or not the manuscript will be published is made by the Book Series Editors in agreement with the Chief Editor.