Peer Review Policy

Overview

AIJSS is committed to publishing high-quality, original, and socially impactful research. The peer review process is central to safeguarding academic excellence, ensuring methodological soundness, and upholding ethical integrity. All submissions undergo a double-blind peer review to promote impartiality and fairness.

???? Review Model: Double-Blind Peer Review

  • Author Anonymity: Reviewers are unaware of the authors' identities.

  • Reviewer Anonymity: Authors do not know the reviewers' identities.

???? This model ensures that manuscripts are evaluated solely on their scholarly merit, free from institutional, national, or personal bias.

???? Peer Review Workflow

1. Submission & Initial Editorial Screening

Upon submission via the official online portal, each manuscript undergoes a preliminary review by the editorial team to assess:

  • Scope alignment with social sciences disciplines

  • Compliance with formatting and submission guidelines

  • Ethical approvals (where required)

  • Plagiarism check using Turnitin or equivalent tools

Submissions failing to meet basic standards are desk-rejected without external review.

2. Reviewer Selection

Manuscripts meeting the criteria are assigned to at least two independent reviewers with domain expertise. Selection is based on:

  • Subject-area specialization

  • Research and publication experience

  • Absence of any conflict of interest

3. Review Criteria

Reviewers evaluate manuscripts on:

  • Originality and scholarly contribution

  • Methodological rigor and theoretical grounding

  • Data analysis and validity of findings

  • Relevance to policy, education, or society

  • Writing clarity and structure

  • Ethical considerations

Reviewer Recommendations include:

  • Accept

  • Minor Revisions

  • Major Revisions (with potential re-review)

  • Reject

4. Editorial Decision

The editorial team consolidates reviewer feedback and issues a decision. Authors receive:

  • Clear decision letters

  • Detailed reviewer comments

  • Guidance for revisions (if applicable)

  • A revision timeline (usually 2–4 weeks)

⏳ Timeframe

The average peer review process takes 4–6 weeks, depending on:

  • Reviewer response time

  • Article complexity

  • Number of revision cycles

Authors are encouraged to submit revisions promptly to avoid delays in publication.

✅ Reviewer Ethics & Responsibilities

Reviewer Conduct

  • Maintain confidentiality of all manuscripts

  • Provide objective, constructive, and respectful feedback

  • Declare any conflicts of interest

  • Avoid any form of discrimination or bias

Reviewers must not:

  • Share manuscript content

  • Use unpublished data for personal gain

  • Communicate with authors outside of the editorial system

???? Appeals Process

If an author disagrees with a decision:

  • A formal appeal may be submitted to the Editor-in-Chief

  • The appeal must include justification and supporting evidence

  • The editorial board may consult an independent reviewer

  • Final decisions rest with the Editor-in-Chief

⚖️ Ethical Standards & Compliance

AIJSS strictly adheres to:

  • COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines

  • HEC Pakistan’s publishing quality benchmarks

  • International best practices for peer-reviewed academic publishing

???? Reviewer Recognition

To honor reviewer contributions:

  • An annual list of reviewers (with consent) is published

  • Certificates of recognition are available upon request

  • Top reviewers may be invited to join the editorial board

???? Conclusion

At AIJSS, the peer review process is foundational to our mission. By combining ethical governance, double-blind review, and academic rigor, we ensure that each publication upholds the values of integrity, relevance, and scholarly excellence in the field of social sciences.