Jet Review Process

---
name: jet-review-process
description: What to expect from the Journal of Economic Theory (JET) review pipeline — an editor desk-screen stage, single-anonymized (single-blind) refereeing with a floor of at least two reviewers, decisions taken by editors (not a single managing EIC), and the generative-AI bar on referees. Sets expectations and informs how to pre-empt referee objections.
---

# Review Process (jet-review-process)

## When to trigger

- You want to understand how JET evaluates a theory submission before sending it
- You are deciding how defensively to write proofs and which objections to pre-empt
- You received a decision and want to read it against JET's actual process

## How JET evaluates (verified where reachable)

- **Two-stage flow.** Editors first assess **suitability** (a desk-screen / desk-rejection stage);
  papers that pass are sent out for refereeing.
- **Single anonymized review (single-blind).** Referees see author identities; authors do not see
  referee identities. This differs from QJE/AEA-style double-blind — so **do not** rely on
  anonymization to neutralize reputation effects; let the result and proofs carry the paper.
- **Minimum of two referees.** Papers that clear the desk screen go to **at least two** independent
  expert reviewers for assessment of correctness, originality, and the size of the theoretical
  contribution.
- **Editors decide.** The accept/reject decision is taken by the **editors**. JET uses a multi-editor
  **"Lead Editor + Editors"** governance: a submission is routed to whichever editor's field best
  matches, and that editor — not a single managing editor-in-chief — makes the call. The current
  lead editor is **待核实** (the official editorial-board page was unreachable; verify before naming anyone).
- **Generative-AI bar on evaluators.** Reviewers and editors are **prohibited** from using
  generative-AI tools in the evaluation process; authors, separately, must disclose AI use at submission.

## What this implies for you

- The desk screen rewards a **theory-first scope fit** stated on page one (see jet-topic-selection).
- With **single-blind** review, a referee can place your prior work; phrase self-citations plainly,
  not evasively.
- Two expert referees will **check proofs**, not just read them — every step must survive a hostile read.
- Routing-by-field means the cover letter should name the subfield (mechanism design, decision theory,
  matching, etc.) so the right editor picks it up.

## Output format

```
【Stage now】desk-screen / out-to-referees / decision
【Review model】single-anonymized, ≥2 referees, editor decides
【Pre-empt】<top correctness/generality objection to neutralize> → jet-rebuttal / jet-identification-strategy
【待核实】current lead editor — verify on official board page
```