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Peer Review Process

IJISDS follows a rigorous, transparent, and double-blind peer-review process designed to ensure the quality, integrity, and scholarly value of all published articles. All submissions are evaluated by independent experts, and editorial decisions are made without influence from authors, institutions, or affiliations.

The peer-review process consists of the following six stages:

1. Manuscript Handling

Authors submit their manuscripts through the IJISDS online submission system, in accordance with the journal’s Author Guidelines and ethical policies.

2. Initial Editorial Screening

The Editor-in-Chief (EIC) conducts an initial screening to verify:

  • Alignment with the journal’s scope

  • Compliance with submission guidelines

  • Ethical and policy requirements

At this stage, submissions may be desk-rejected if they fall outside scope or fail to meet baseline standards. No technical peer review is conducted at this point.

3. Assignment to Handling Editor

Manuscripts that pass the initial screening are assigned to a Handling Editor (Associate or Section Editor), who assumes responsibility for managing the peer-review process and maintaining editorial oversight.

4. Reviewer Selection and Invitation

The Handling Editor identifies and invites qualified, independent, and conflict-free reviewers with subject-matter expertise.
IJISDS follows a double-blind review model, ensuring anonymity of both authors and reviewers throughout the process.

5. Peer Review and Evaluation

Upon acceptance of the invitation, reviewers critically assess the manuscript, focusing on:

  • Originality and significance

  • Methodological soundness

  • Clarity and structure

  • Relevance to the field

Reviewers submit detailed reports and recommend one of the following outcomes:

  • Accept

  • Minor Revision

  • Major Revision

  • Reject

6. Editorial Decision and Revision Management

The Handling Editor evaluates reviewer reports and makes a reasoned editorial decision. Where revisions are requested:

  • Authors are provided with consolidated, constructive feedback

  • Revised manuscripts are reassessed by the Handling Editor

  • Further review may be conducted if necessary

Final acceptance decisions rest with the editorial team. Accepted manuscripts proceed to copyediting and production.

Editorial Decisions and Outcomes

Accept

  • Authors receive formal acceptance notification

  • Manuscript proceeds to production and copyediting

Reject

  • Authors receive a rejection decision with reviewer feedback where appropriate

Revision Required (Minor or Major)

  • Authors are invited to revise and resubmit

  • Revised manuscripts are evaluated for completeness and quality of response

Editors and Editorial Board Members as Authors

IJISDS permits Editors and Editorial Board Members to submit manuscripts, subject to strict safeguards to ensure fairness and transparency:

  • No editorial or review privileges are granted

  • Editors are fully excluded from decision-making on their own submissions

  • Independent editors manage the review process

  • Accepted articles include a disclosure statement outlining the editorial safeguards applied

Special Issues and Guest Editors

Guest Editor Appointments

Guest Editors are appointed based on:

  • Demonstrated expertise in the special issue’s theme

  • Research experience and scholarly standing

  • Institutional credibility

Guest Editors coordinate submissions and peer review in collaboration with the IJISDS Editorial Board, operating under the same ethical and quality standards as regular issues.

Peer Review for Special Issues

  • All special issue submissions undergo full external peer review

  • Initial screening ensures thematic alignment

  • Independent reviewers evaluate quality, originality, and significance

  • Guest Editors make recommendations; final oversight remains with IJISDS

Reviewer Recognition

IJISDS values the essential contributions of peer reviewers and offers recognition through:

  • Annual public acknowledgement on the journal website

  • Review certificates upon request

  • Professional visibility through editorial engagement