Peer Review Policy

The Social and Management Sciences Research Journal (SMSRJ) follows a rigorous and transparent peer review process to ensure the quality, validity, and integrity of the research published. Our peer review policy is designed to uphold the highest academic standards and provide constructive feedback to authors.

1. Review Process Overview:
All submitted manuscripts to SMSRJ undergo a double-blind peer review process. Both the authors and the reviewers remain anonymous to each other throughout the review process to ensure impartiality and objectivity.

2. Initial Screening:
Upon submission, the editorial team conducts an initial screening to assess whether the manuscript aligns with the journal's scope and meets basic formatting and quality requirements. If the manuscript does not meet these standards, it may be rejected without further review.

3. Selection of Reviewers:
Reviewers are selected based on their expertise in the manuscript’s subject area. The editorial board strives to assign at least two reviewers who are experts in the topic under investigation. All reviewers are researchers or academics with significant experience in the field and are familiar with the ethical guidelines of peer review.

4. Double-Blind Review:
SMSRJ follows a double-blind peer review process, which means that both the identities of the authors and reviewers are kept confidential throughout the review. This helps to eliminate any bias in the evaluation and ensures that decisions are made solely based on the quality and merit of the manuscript.

5. Review Criteria:
Reviewers are asked to evaluate the manuscript based on the following criteria:

• Originality and novelty of the research

• Relevance and significance to the field of social sciences and management

• Soundness of methodology and data analysis

• Clarity of writing and logical flow of ideas

• Adequacy of references and literature review

• Ethical considerations in research and writing

• Contribution to the existing body of knowledge

6. Review Decision:
After the review process, the editor makes a final decision on the manuscript, which can be:

• Accepted: The manuscript meets the journal's standards and will be published.

• Minor Revisions: The manuscript requires small changes or clarifications but is generally acceptable.

• Major Revisions: Substantial changes are needed before the manuscript can be considered for publication.

• Rejected: The manuscript does not meet the necessary academic standards or falls outside the scope of the journal.

7. Feedback to Authors:
Reviewers provide detailed, constructive feedback to the authors to improve their manuscript. The authors are expected to revise the manuscript in line with the reviewers’ comments and resubmit it for further review if necessary.

8. Timeliness:
To maintain the integrity of the review process, SMSRJ aims to complete the peer review within four to six weeks from the submission date. The journal ensures that authors and reviewers are informed about the status of their manuscripts and review progress in a timely manner.

9. Confidentiality and Ethical Guidelines:
All reviewers and editorial staff are required to uphold confidentiality during and after the review process. Manuscripts, along with their associated data, are considered confidential until published. Reviewers are prohibited from using any information or ideas in the manuscript for personal advantage.

10. Open Peer Review (Optional):
Authors have the option to participate in open peer review, where the names of reviewers are made public once the manuscript is accepted. Authors and reviewers can engage in direct dialogue through the peer review system to improve the quality of the research.

11. Appeal Process:
In cases where authors disagree with the review decision, they may submit an appeal to the editorial board. The appeal will be reviewed by the editor-in-chief or a designated senior editor, who will assess the reasons for the appeal and may reconsider the manuscript or seek additional reviews if necessary.

12. Reviewer Recognition:
SMSRJ acknowledges the contribution of reviewers by providing them with a formal certificate of recognition for their time and expertise. Reviewers are also listed on the journal's website under the "Peer Reviewers" section.