Q: “Decision in Process” for 3 weeks during Chinese Winter Holiday/CNY. Should I be worried?
I have an R1 revision submitted to the Journal of Urban Management. Jan 22: Status changed to "Decision in Process". Current Status: It has been stuck there for 3 weeks with no update. I know the Lunar New Year and winter holidays are happening now. Is it standard for this specific journal (JUM) to completely freeze "Decision in Process" papers during this period? I am debating whether to email them or if I should just wait until late February. Is 3 weeks in "Decision" normal for this time of year?
Answer: Holidays are often a time when things can tend to slow down, and although this may not be standard practice, it may be at the journal you have selected. This is possible, as you have rightly noted. Once the holiday ends, it is alright to send a follow up email to the Editor inquiring about the status of your manuscript. Be sure to write the email through the submission portal and include the manuscript ID and title in your email. Wish you good luck.
