1. Reviewer Selection and Review Process

The peer review process for manuscripts submitted to The Journal of Immersive Media Research is overseen by the Editorial Board. The Editor-in-Chief submits the titles of received manuscripts to the Editorial Board anonymously for reviewer recommendations. Based on these recommendations, the Editor-in-Chief selects three experts in the relevant research field as reviewers for each manuscript.

In principle, each manuscript is evaluated by three reviewers. The Editor-in-Chief assigns manuscripts to the selected reviewers anonymously.

2. Stages of Peer Review

The peer review process consists of two stages: an initial screening and a full peer review.

1) Initial Screening (Stage 1)

The initial screening is conducted by the Editor-in-Chief to assess the relevance of the manuscript to the journal's scope and its compliance with the manuscript preparation guidelines. Manuscripts that pass the initial screening proceed to the full peer review stage.

2) Full Peer Review (Stage 2)

During the full peer review, three appointed reviewers evaluate the manuscript according to the journal's review criteria. Each reviewer assigns scores to the evaluation items specified in the manuscript review form and determines a review recommendation based on the overall assessment.

Reviewers are required to submit their evaluation results and written review comments to the Editor-in-Chief within 10 days of receiving the review request.

3. Review Criteria

Submitted manuscripts are evaluated based on the following seven criteria:

1. Suitability for publication in the journal
2. Appropriateness of the research methodology
3. Completeness of the manuscript content
4. Accuracy of references and citations
5. Originality of the research topic
6. Academic contribution and expected impact of the research findings
7. Appropriateness of the abstract

4. Review Decisions and Evaluation Scores

Each reviewer provides one of the following four recommendations based on the evaluation score.

The procedures for handling manuscripts according to the review decisions are as follows.

1) Accept

A manuscript may be accepted when its essential content is satisfactory and no revisions or only minor revisions are required. Even when a manuscript receives an acceptance decision, the author must adequately address the reviewers' comments and requested revisions.

2) Accept after Revision

This decision applies to manuscripts with no major issues in their essential content that are considered suitable for publication after revision. Authors must revise their manuscripts in accordance with the reviewers' comments. The Editor-in-Chief reviews the revisions and makes the final publication decision.

3) Revise and Resubmit

This decision applies to manuscripts requiring substantial improvements to their essential content. Authors must revise and resubmit their manuscripts in accordance with the reviewers' comments. The revised manuscript is sent for further review to reviewers other than those who initially recommended "Accept" or "Reject." The final publication decision is made based on the subsequent review results.

4) Reject

This decision applies to manuscripts with significant problems in their essential content that would require a substantial period to resolve. Rejected manuscripts will not be published in the issue for which they were submitted and may not be resubmitted to the journal with the same title and content.

Any other matters concerning publication decisions are determined by the Editorial Board.

5. Appeals

Authors may appeal the results of the peer review process. Upon receiving an appeal, the Editorial Board reviews the case and determines whether an additional review is warranted.

6. Confidentiality

The identities of reviewers and submitting authors are not disclosed to external parties. Review results are communicated only to the authors of the submitted manuscripts.

7. Certificate of Acceptance

Authors whose manuscripts have been accepted for publication may request a certificate of acceptance from the journal.