Reviewer’s Guide

Criteria for Acceptance of Papers

MODULEMA places trust in the discernment and expertise of its article reviewers, the following guidelines are recommended for assessing submissions that align with the external review template:

Indicators for Manuscript Evaluation

• Relevance to the Research Community.
  • Assess whether the article addresses a relevant topic within the knowledge of the subject treated. 
  • Evaluate whether the manuscript contributes new insights or advances existing knowledge in the subject area.
  • It offers original research or reflection.
  • The bibliography used is related to the subject dealt with and is adequate and up to date.
• Adherence to Standards.
  • Confirm that the manuscript follows the journal’s submission guidelines.
  • Check the appropriate use of citations and accurate referencing.
  • Verify compliance with the latest APA standards for references.
  • Assess the clarity, conciseness, and correctness of the language used.
  • Look for effective communication of ideas.
• Title.
  • It accurately reflects the article’s content.
  • It is suitable in both Spanish and English and any other relevant language.
  • Ensure the title is no longer than 12 words.
• Abstract.
  • The abstract addresses the IMRYD (Introduction, Method, Results, Discussion, and Conclusions). 
  • The introduction clearly states the study’s objective or purpose and sets the context for the research; the methodology describes the basic design procedures, specifies sample or case selection, and outlines data collection methods and techniques for analysis; the results highlight the main findings and If applicable, mentions statistical significance; and the discussion and presents the most significant conclusions.
  • The abstract is presented in both Spanish and English and if applicable, any other relevant language.
  • It should not exceed 250 words.
• Keywords.
  • Three to five keywords are included.
  • The words are included in the UNESCO Thesaurus.
  • The keywords are in Spanish and English and, where appropriate, in the language of presentation if different from these.
  • The keywords are relevant and closely aligned with the subject matter of the article.
• Subject Matter Review.
  • The introduction effectively establishes the rationale for the study.
  • It convincingly outlines the significance of the chosen subject matter.
  • The theoretical review demonstrates adequacy.
  • It provides a solid foundation for the research context.
  • The citations and references align precisely with the manuscript’s content.
  • They adhere rigorously to the journal’s citation standards.
  • The topic directly pertains to aspects of cultural diversity.
  • The chosen topic is not only current but also carries societal implications.
• Structure and Internal Coherence.
  • It follows the IMRYD structure.
  • All statements are related to the topic.
  • All statements are logically related to each other.
  • Quality of argumentation.
• Scientific and Methodological Rigor.
  • Coherence between design and study problem.
  • Quality of scientific information.
  • Validation of methods used.
  • Evidence of proof.
  • Transparency in the scientific process.
• Data Collection Procedures and Techniques.
  • Adequacy of the sample or case studies.
  • Specification of sampling techniques used, criteria and characteristics of the sample.
  • Quality of data collection procedures and techniques.
  • The data collection techniques are appropriate for the object of study analysed.
  • Specification and specification of the techniques and their psychometric characteristics, if applicable.
• Depth of Data Analysis Procedures.
  • Adequacy of conducted analyses.
  • Clarity and explicitness in the method of analysis.
• Relevance of Results.
  • Concise communication of acquired data.
  • Effective use of tables and figures.
  • Adherence to journal specifications for tables and figures.
• Dissemination of Results.
  • Utility of results in cultural diversity management.
  • The obtained results are applicable beyond the immediate study context.
• Substantive and Contextually Relevant Conclusions.
  • Alignment of conclusions with research objectives.
  • Emphasis on topic significance.
  • Exploration of new research avenues.
  • Acknowledgement of study strengths and limitations.
• Robustness of the Bibliography.
  • Timeliness and pertinence of reference sources.
  • Quality of national and international references.
  • All references are appropriately cited, and all in-text citations are meticulously referenced.
  • Adherence to the latest APA standards.
  • The inclusion of 20 to 40 references avoids excessive reliance on self-citations (limited to 10-15%).
• Tabular and Graphical Representations: tables and figures.
  • Ensures that all tables and figures adhere to the current APA guidelines.
  • High-Quality figure inclusion.
• The content is tailored to resonate with an international readership.
  • Linguistic accuracy of foreign language.
  • Inclusion of international examples and evidence.
  • Comprehensive international references should be included.

Report Writing.

When composing the report detailing the rationale behind acceptance, rejection, or suggested modifications, it is advisable to conduct a thorough analysis of the manuscript. Whenever feasible, provide explicit guidelines for enhancing its quality.

In instances where modifications are requested, focus on the specific elements highlighted in the preceding section. Delineate the areas that require attention to facilitate the continuation of the editorial process. Additionally, consider incorporating relevant indicators, such as novel ideas or pertinent bibliographical references for improvement.

The report should be crafted in a manner that allows direct delivery to the manuscript authors. Specify the reasons underlying the final decision regarding potential publication in the journal. Importantly, the reviewer’s identity remains confidential throughout this process.

The web form will indicate the final assessment by presenting one of the available options:

• Accept (Unaltered Publication).
• Accept (Conditional on Minor Revisions): The manuscript will be published after addressing the minor corrections and adjustments recommended in the assessment for authors.
• Accept (Subject to Substantive Changes): Publication is contingent upon implementing the substantial revisions suggested in the assessment for authors.
• Reject (Infeasible Corrections): The content and/or editorial issues are irreparable within a short timeframe, rendering the manuscript unpublishable.
• Reject (Alternative Submission Recommendation): While unsuitable for MODULEMA, the author(s) are encouraged to submit the work to a more specialized publication aligned with the subject matter or type of research. Suggestion _________________________________________________.

The evaluation form must be dispatched within the timeframe stipulated in the review request. Under no circumstances should this period extend beyond one month.