Who is responsible for the initial assessment of a manuscript's relevance to a journal?

The initial assessment of a manuscript's relevance to a journal is primarily the responsibility of journal editors. Editors play a crucial role in the submission and review process, as they evaluate whether a manuscript aligns with the journal's scope, aims, and audience. This initial screening helps determine if the paper will proceed to peer review or be rejected outright if it does not fit the journal's criteria.

Journal editors assess various aspects of a manuscript, including its originality, significance within the field, and methodological rigor. This evaluation is key to maintaining the journal's standards and ensuring that the content published is of high quality and relevant to the readership.

While peer reviewers provide critical comments and recommendations on the manuscript's scientific quality and validity during the review process, their involvement occurs after the initial assessment by the editor. Research authors are responsible for writing and submitting their work but do not evaluate its fit for publication until after receiving feedback. Publishing coordinators may assist with logistical aspects of publication but do not typically perform the relevance assessment of manuscripts.