What is the peer review cycle of a journal and how to check it?

The peer review cycle is the process by which scholarly journals evaluate submitted manuscripts for quality, validity, and originality prior to publication. Determining a specific journal's average cycle duration is feasible, though the timeframe varies considerably. Cycle duration depends critically on factors including the manuscript's complexity, the journal's submission volume, reviewer availability and response times, and the number of revision rounds required. Key stages involve initial editorial screening, assignment to reviewers, their assessments, and editorial decisions leading to rejection, acceptance, or revision requests. Authors should anticipate significant variability; periods from weeks to over a year are possible, influenced by journal efficiency and field norms. To check a journal's typical peer review time, primarily consult the journal's website, especially its "Instructions for Authors" or "About" section, where editors often publish average statistics. Many online submission systems also display average turnaround times once logged in. Direct inquiries to the editorial office are another option. Understanding this cycle helps authors manage expectations and manuscript planning effectively.