Peer Review Policy

Zakariya Journal of Social Sciences (ZJSS) follows a rigorous double-blind peer review process to ensure the quality, originality, and academic integrity of published research. In this process, the identities of authors and reviewers remain confidential throughout the review procedure. The journal follows transparent peer review practices as recommended for scholarly publishing standards.

Initial Editorial Screening

All submitted manuscripts undergo an initial editorial assessment by the Editorial Office to check:

  • Alignment with the journal’s aims and scope.
  • Originality and research contribution.
  • Compliance with author guidelines.
  • Ethical and plagiarism requirements.
  • Overall manuscript quality.

Manuscripts that do not meet the basic requirements may be rejected before external peer review.

External Peer Review

Manuscripts passing the initial screening are evaluated by at least two independent external reviewers with relevant expertise in the subject area.

Reviewers assess manuscripts based on:

  • Originality and significance of the research.
  • Research methodology and analysis.
  • Accuracy and clarity of presentation.
  • Contribution to the relevant field.
  • Ethical compliance and research integrity.

Reviewer Selection

Reviewers are selected according to their:

  • Academic qualifications.
  • Subject expertise.
  • Research experience.
  • Independence from the authors and submitted research.

Reviewers must disclose any potential conflict of interest before accepting a review assignment.

Confidentiality and Ethical Conduct

All submitted manuscripts and review reports are treated as confidential documents. Reviewers must not disclose manuscript information, use unpublished data for personal benefit, or influence their recommendations by personal, political, institutional, or commercial considerations.

Review Decision

Based on reviewer reports and editorial evaluation, the possible decisions are:

  • Accept without changes.
  • Accept after minor revisions.
  • Revise and resubmit (major revisions).
  • Reject.

The final publication decision rests with the Editor-in-Chief.

Revision Process

Authors may be requested to revise their manuscripts according to reviewer comments. Revised manuscripts may be reviewed again by the original reviewers or evaluated by the editors before a final decision.

Review Timeline

The normal peer review process generally takes 6 weeks, depending on reviewer availability, manuscript complexity, and the need for revisions. Authors are informed about any significant delays in the review process.

Reviewer Responsibilities

Reviewers are expected to:

  • Provide objective, constructive, and unbiased evaluations.
  • Maintain confidentiality of manuscripts.
  • Identify relevant published work where necessary.
  • Declare conflicts of interest.
  • Provide timely reviews.

Special Issue Review Policy

Articles submitted for special issues follow the same peer review standards and editorial procedures as regular submissions to maintain academic quality and transparency.

Appeals Against Editorial Decisions

Authors may submit an appeal regarding an editorial decision by providing a clear justification. Appeals are reviewed by the editorial team, and the final decision is made after careful evaluation.

Zakariya Journal of Social Sciences is committed to maintaining a fair, transparent, and ethical peer review system to ensure the publication of high-quality scholarly research.