The Davao Research Journal (DRJ) uses Open Journal Systems (OJS), an open-source publishing platform developed by the Public Knowledge Project (PKP) under the GNU General Public License. All manuscripts are submitted and processed through this online system. After submission, a member of the Editorial Team screens each manuscript for relevance to the journal’s aims and scope, compliance with submission guidelines, overall quality, and publication ethics. Manuscripts may be rejected at this stage for plagiarism, research misconduct, ethical violations, or insufficient scholarly quality. Manuscripts that pass screening go to double-blind peer review, where author and reviewer identities stay confidential. At least two independent reviewers with relevant expertise are assigned. To avoid conflicts of interest, reviewers suggested by authors must not be from the authors’ institution. Reviewers assess scientific rigor, originality, methodology, relevance, clarity, ethical compliance, and contribution to knowledge. Based on their recommendations, the Editor-in-Chief may decide to: accept without revision; accept with minor revisions; require major revisions or reject the paper. 

Authors must revise their manuscripts and submit the revised version with a detailed response to the reviewers’ comments. Revised manuscripts may be evaluated again before a final decision. Once a manuscript is accepted, authors receive an official acceptance notification. The article then moves to production, which covers final proofreading, plagiarism verification, copyediting, formatting, layout design, metadata preparation, and online publication (see the infographics below). The published article is then archived and made openly accessible on the journal website.

Figure 1. Publication process of the Davao Research Journal from submission to online publication.

Publication Notification 

The Davao Research Journal (DRJ) updates authors on editorial decisions, peer-review results, revisions, acceptance, and publication status through its official email (editor.drj@dorsu.edu.ph) and the OJS submission system. Authors should provide active, accurate contact details when submitting so they receive timely notices. Accepted manuscripts are scheduled for publication based on the editorial workflow, publication frequency, and completion of all requirements. The Editorial Team makes the final decisions on scheduling and issue assignment.

Publication Frequency 

The Davao Research Journal (DRJ) was published once a year from 1998 to 2020. As submissions and research participation grew, including support from neighboring universities, it moved to twice a year (June and December) from 2021 to 2023. Since 2024, it has published quarterly, with issues released every March, June, September, and December. The journal remains committed to a consistent, sustainable schedule that follows international publishing standards and best editorial practices.

Article Processing Charges (APC) 

The Davao Research Journal (DRJ) provides immediate open access to all published articles to support the global exchange of knowledge. The journal is fully subsidized by the Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU), therefore authors are not required to pay any article processing charges (APCs), submission fees, or publication fees.