The Number of Required Reviews for a submission is the target number of completed reviews to be reached before the submission is considered ready for decision. Note that it is always possible for an editor to make the decision before that number is reached, or wait for more reviews over that number. 

The default number of required reviews is defined in each Article Type, and some editors have the permission to make changes to the number for a specific submission. Keeping the target updated for each submission helps to keep track of when the decision is expected to be made.

How?

1. Locate the submission from the appropriate Main Menu folder or via Search Submissions.
2. Select Invite Reviewers to open the Reviewer Selection Summary screen. See how can I manage pending reviews
3. The Number of Required Reviews is at the top of the menu on the left side.
4. If you have permission to override review settings for submission, there will be an Edit link just above. The edit link will open a popup overlay where you can edit the settings for this submission.
5. • 'Move to Submissions with required reviews complete after __ reviews' controls when the submission will move to the status of Required Reviews Complete. Note when changing that.
   • 'Un-invite reviewers who do not respond after __ days' and 'Unassign reviewers who do not complete reviews after __ days' are editable only if you have permission to change due dates. See How can reviewers be automatically uninvited or unassigned in Editorial Manager? for more information.
6. Use the Save Settings button to apply your changes.

After the Number of Required Reviews is changed:

• If the current number of completed reviews is greater or equal to the new value you saved, the submission changes to status 'Required Reviews Complete', and moves to the folder of the same name on the current handling editor's main menu.

  • There may be an automated notice to one or more assigned editors triggered by this status change, based on settings for the editor roles.
• If the current number of completed reviews is less than the new value you saved, the status changes as listed below, and the submission may move to a different on the current handling editor's main menu.

  • Status 'With Editor' if there are no invited or agreed reviewers remaining.
  • Status 'Under Review ' if at least one pending reviewer is invited or agreed.
  • If an editor has saved a partial decision but not yet submitted, the status will remain as 'Required Reviews Complete'.
• Additionally, if the article type is set to invite alternates only when the number of required reviews is greater than completed + assigned, increasing this value may trigger automatic invitation of an alternate. See Alternate Reviewers for more information.