REVIEW POLICY & PROCESS
Peer review process
The peer review process is a critical aspect of academic publishing that ensures the quality, validity, and originality of research. It is designed to maintain high standards of scholarship, enhance the credibility of published work, and foster a constructive exchange of ideas. The following outlines the steps involved in the peer review process at our journal, providing transparency to authors and ensuring that the evaluation is fair, thorough, and unbiased.
- Initial Screening
The process begins with members of the editorial board assessing whether a submitted paper falls within the journal's scope and adheres to the stipulated guidelines, including a similarity index not exceeding 20% as measured by Turnitin plagiarism-checking software. This screening ensures that the manuscript is free from significant overlap with existing work, excluding properly cited material. - Peer Review Assignment
Qualified manuscripts are forwarded to at least two reviewers who are experts in the specific research topic. Reviewers are carefully selected based on their expertise, and the peer review process is double-blind (i.e., both authors and reviewers remain anonymous to each other). - Reviewer Feedback
Reviewers are tasked with carefully reading the manuscript and providing critical, constructive feedback. This includes evaluating the clarity, relevance, originality, and methodology of the paper. Reviewers should also assess the manuscript for its theoretical contributions, empirical findings, and implications for the field. - Reviewer Recommendations
Reviewers must provide clear recommendations on whether to accept or reject the manuscript. These recommendations should be accompanied by detailed, constructive reasons that are submitted to the chief editor. In cases of conflicting recommendations between reviewers, the editor may involve a third reviewer to assist in resolving the disagreement. The final decision on acceptance or rejection will rest with the chief editor. - Communication of Decision
After the editorial board has reviewed the feedback from the reviewers, the decision is communicated to the corresponding author. The decision may be: i. Accepted: The manuscript is accepted for publication as is, or after minor revisions. ii. Revisions Required: The manuscript is accepted contingent upon making substantial revisions based on reviewer feedback. iii. Rejected: If the manuscript is not deemed suitable for publication, it will be rejected. - Revisions and Resubmission
Accepted manuscripts may require revisions based on reviewer comments. Authors are given a clear timeline to submit their revised manuscripts. Manuscripts will only be published once the revisions have been successfully completed and meet the journal's standards. - In case of rejection, the manuscript may not be resubmitted to the same journal. However, authors may be encouraged to submit the manuscript to other journals, provided significant changes have been made.
- Timeline for Review and Decision
The journal aims to provide authors with feedback within 2–4 weeks from the submission date. Clear timelines for revisions and resubmissions should also be communicated to ensure transparency and efficiency in the process. - Appeals Process
In the event of a rejected manuscript, authors have the right to appeal the decision. A formal appeal can be made if the author feels the review process was unfair, with the option for the editor to reconsider the decision based on new information or substantial revision of the manuscript. - Ethical Considerations for Reviewers
Reviewers are provided with guidelines on ethical reviewing practices, including maintaining confidentiality, avoiding conflicts of interest, and providing constructive and unbiased feedback. The integrity of the peer review process is paramount to ensure fairness and transparency. - Final Publication Decision
Once a manuscript is accepted and all revisions are made, it undergoes a final editorial review for compliance with the journal’s formatting guidelines. The manuscript is then prepared for publication
