Peer Review Process

THECRED: Proceedings of the Theology and Religious Education Dialogue employs a double-blind peer review process for all submitted manuscripts. In this process, neither the author(s) nor the reviewers are aware of each other's identity, ensuring an impartial and objective evaluation.

Stage 1, Editorial Screening
Upon submission, the Managing Editor conducts an initial screening to assess whether the manuscript falls within the scope of THECRED, meets the basic formatting and structural requirements outlined in the Author Guidelines, is written in acceptable academic English or Indonesian, and does not exceed the acceptable plagiarism threshold (maximum 20% similarity index via Turnitin, excluding references and properly cited quotations). Manuscripts that do not meet these criteria are returned to the author with an explanation. This is referred to as a desk rejection. This stage is typically completed within 7 working days of submission.

Stage 2, Reviewer Assignment
Manuscripts that pass the initial screening are assigned to at least two independent reviewers with expertise in the relevant subject area. Reviewers are selected from the THECRED reviewer panel based on their academic qualifications, publication record, and relevant expertise. Reviewers who accept the invitation are expected to complete their evaluation within 2–4 weeks.

Stage 3, Peer Evaluation
Reviewers evaluate the manuscript based on the following criteria: originality and novelty of the contribution; soundness and clarity of the theological or theoretical framework; appropriateness of the research methodology (for empirical studies); coherence and logical structure of the argumentation; quality, relevance, and currency of the references; significance of the contribution to the field; and overall quality of academic writing and presentation. Each reviewer submits a detailed evaluation report with specific and constructive comments for the author(s).

Stage 4, Editorial Decision
Based on the reviewer reports, the Editor-in-Chief makes one of the following decisions:

Accepted: The manuscript is accepted for publication with no or only minimal editorial corrections.

Accepted with Minor Revisions: The manuscript requires minor corrections that do not affect the substance of the argument. Authors are given 14 days to submit the revised version.

Major Revisions Required: The manuscript requires substantial changes to its content, methodology, or argumentation. Authors are given 30 days to revise and resubmit. The revised manuscript may be sent for a second round of review.

Rejected: The manuscript does not meet the required scholarly standards and is not suitable for publication in THECRED. The decision letter will include the reasons for rejection based on reviewer feedback.

Stage 5, Revision and Verification
Authors who receive a revision decision must submit a revised manuscript accompanied by a response letter that addresses each reviewer comment point by point, indicating the changes made or providing a reasoned explanation where a reviewer's suggestion was not adopted. The editor and/or reviewers verify that the revisions have been adequately addressed.

Stage 6, Copyediting, Layout, and Publication
Accepted manuscripts undergo copyediting and layout formatting by the editorial team. Authors will receive galley proofs for final approval before the article is published. Authors are expected to return galley proofs within 7 days.

Estimated Timeline
The entire editorial process, from submission to publication decision, typically takes 6–10 weeks. Actual processing time may vary depending on the availability of reviewers and the extent of revisions required.

Appeals
Authors who wish to appeal a rejection decision may submit a written appeal to the Editor-in-Chief within 14 days of the decision notification. The appeal must include a detailed justification explaining why the author believes the decision should be reconsidered. The editorial board will review the appeal and render a final decision, which is not subject to further appeal.