Reviewer Guidelines

  1. Peer review type

The IJSSR employs a double-blind peer-review process. Neither authors nor reviewers are aware of each other's identities throughout the review process. A minimum of two independent reviewers is assigned to each manuscript.

  1. Review criteria

Reviewers are asked to evaluate manuscripts based on the following criteria:

  • Relevance to the journal's scope and aims.
  • Originality and contribution to evidence synthesis.
  • Methodological rigour and adherence to reporting standards (e.g., PRISMA, MOOSE).
  • Clarity, coherence, and quality of writing.
  • Adequacy of the literature review and search strategy.
  • Validity and reliability of results and conclusions.
  • Compliance with ethical standards.
  1. Reviewer recommendations

After evaluation, reviewers provide one of the following recommendations:

  • Recommended for publication as is.
  • Recommended for publication with minor revisions.
  • Recommended for major revision and resubmission.
  • Not recommended for publication.
  1. Scoring system

Reviewers mark submitted papers on a four-point scale: Excellent (5), Good (4), Moderate (3), Weak (2), and Poor (1). A manuscript with an average score below 3 may be rejected for publication.

  1. Ethical responsibilities

Reviewers must treat all manuscripts as confidential documents. They must disclose any conflicts of interest and decline to review manuscripts where they cannot provide an unbiased assessment. Reviewers must not use information obtained during the review process for personal advantage.

  1. Reviewer recognition

The IJSSR values the contribution of peer reviewers. Reviewers who complete reviews in a timely and thorough manner may receive a Reviewer Certificate acknowledging their contribution to the journal.

  1. Time frame

The IJSSR aims to complete the review process within 4 to 8 weeks. A fast-track peer review may be completed within 2 to 4 weeks. The journal is committed to keeping authors informed about the progress of their submissions.

Authors who wish to appeal an editorial decision should consult the IJSSR Appeals and Complaints Procedure.