Peer Review Policy

Overview

AIJSS is dedicated to publishing original, high-quality, and socially impactful research. Peer review is the cornerstone of our scholarly integrity, ensuring that every manuscript is evaluated rigorously, fairly, and ethically. We employ a double-blind peer review model to eliminate bias and promote objective evaluation.

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

  • Author Anonymity: Reviewers do not know the identity of the authors.

  • Reviewer Anonymity: Authors do not know who reviewed their work.

✅ This model guarantees impartiality by assessing submissions solely on academic merit, free from institutional, geographic, or personal biases.

???? Peer Review Workflow

1. Submission & Initial Screening

Upon submission through our online portal, all manuscripts undergo a preliminary editorial check for:

  • Alignment with the journal’s social sciences scope

  • Adherence to formatting and submission guidelines

  • Ethical approvals for human/animal studies (if applicable)

  • Plagiarism screening via Turnitin or equivalent tools

???? Desk Rejection occurs if the manuscript fails to meet these basic criteria.

2. Reviewer Selection

Manuscripts passing initial screening are assigned to at least two independent reviewers selected based on:

  • Subject-area expertise

  • Peer-reviewed publication record

  • No conflicts of interest

3. Review Criteria

Reviewers are asked to evaluate the manuscript for:

  • Originality and research contribution

  • Theoretical grounding and methodological rigor

  • Data validity and result interpretation

  • Relevance to policy, society, or academia

  • Organization, writing quality, and citation ethics

  • Ethical standards and compliance

Reviewer recommendations:

✅ Accept
✏️ Minor Revisions
????️ Major Revisions
❌ Reject

4. Editorial Decision

The editorial team synthesizes reviewer comments and issues a decision. Authors receive:

  • A decision letter (with clear status: Accept, Revise, Reject)

  • Consolidated reviewer comments

  • Revision guidelines (if applicable)

  • A specific revision deadline (typically 2–4 weeks)

⏱️ Peer Review Timeframe

The average review process spans 4 to 6 weeks, depending on:

  • Reviewer availability

  • Manuscript complexity

  • Number of revision cycles

⏳ Timely revisions by authors are encouraged to expedite publication.

✅ Reviewer Ethics & Responsibilities

Reviewers must:

  • Maintain strict confidentiality

  • Provide objective, professional, and evidence-based feedback

  • Declare any potential conflicts of interest

  • Refrain from discriminatory, biased, or disrespectful comments

Reviewers must not:

  • Use manuscript content for personal gain

  • Share or discuss content externally

  • Contact authors directly

???? Appeals Process

If authors dispute a decision:

  • Submit a formal appeal to the Editor-in-Chief

  • Provide evidence-based justification

  • The editorial board may consult an independent reviewer

  • The final decision lies with the Editor-in-Chief

⚖️ Ethical Standards & Compliance

AIJSS adheres strictly to:

  • COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines

  • HEC Pakistan journal quality criteria

  • International publishing standards for double-blind peer review

????️ Reviewer Recognition

We value our reviewers and recognize their contributions by:

  • Publishing an annual reviewer acknowledgment list (with consent)

  • Issuing certificates of appreciation upon request

  • Offering editorial board invitations to exceptional reviewers

???? Conclusion

The peer review process at AIJSS is designed to uphold our core values: academic excellence, ethical publishing, and global relevance. Through double-blind evaluation, ethical governance, and scholarly collaboration, we ensure that each publication contributes meaningfully to the advancement of social sciences.