Peer Review Process

The Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies (JSSHRS) follows a rigorous, transparent, and double-blind peer review process to ensure the publication of only high-quality, original, and impactful research in the social sciences and humanities. The process is designed to uphold academic integrity, minimize bias, and provide authors with constructive feedback to strengthen their work.

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1. Initial Editorial Screening

When a manuscript is submitted via our online system or email:

• The editorial office verifies that:

  • The content falls within JSSHRS’s scope.

  • The manuscript follows the Author Guidelines.

  • Ethical declarations, including conflict of interest and plagiarism checks, are in place.

• Submissions undergo plagiarism detection software screening; similarity above our threshold (generally 15%) may require correction or lead to rejection.

• Manuscripts meeting preliminary criteria proceed to peer review; others are returned to authors with feedback.

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2. Double-Blind Peer Review

• Reviewer and author identities are concealed to prevent bias.

• Each manuscript is assigned to at least two independent reviewers with subject matter expertise.

• Reviewers assess:

  • Originality and contribution to the field

  • Relevance and significance of the research

  • Methodological rigor and transparency

  • Clarity of presentation and logical coherence

  • Ethical compliance, including proper citations

• Reviewers provide constructive comments and make a recommendation:

  • Accept

  • Minor Revision

  • Major Revision

  • Reject

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3. Editorial Decision

• The handling editor considers all reviewer reports and makes the final editorial decision.

• In case of widely differing reviewer opinions, the editor may:

  • Seek a third opinion from another reviewer

  • Consult with the editorial board for consensus

• The decision, along with anonymized reviewer feedback, is shared with the authors.

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4. Revision and Resubmission

• Authors receiving a revision request must submit:

  • A revised manuscript with changes clearly highlighted

  • A detailed response letter addressing each reviewer comment point-by-point

• The revised manuscript may be sent back to the same reviewers (in the case of major changes) or cleared by the editorial team if satisfactory.

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5. Final Acceptance and Production

• Once the manuscript meets all scholarly and ethical standards, it is accepted for publication.

• The manuscript undergoes professional copyediting, formatting, and typesetting.

• Authors are provided with page proofs to review before final publication.

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6. Online Publication

• Finalized articles are published in open access format in the next scheduled issue.

• Each article is assigned a DOI for permanent discoverability and indexed in relevant databases.

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Review Process Timeline (Estimated)

(Timeframes may vary depending on reviewer availability and complexity of the manuscript.)

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Ethical Practices in Peer Review

• Confidentiality: All manuscripts and communications are treated as strictly confidential.

• Conflict of Interest: Reviewers and editors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest and decline assignments if impartiality cannot be assured.

• Constructive Feedback: Reviews should be respectful, evidence-based, and aimed at improving the quality of the manuscript.

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Appeals

Authors who believe their manuscript was unfairly evaluated may appeal the decision by sending a detailed justification to the editorial office. Appeals are reviewed seriously and may involve re-evaluation by new reviewers or additional editorial board consultation.

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JSSHRS’s double-blind peer review process safeguards objectivity, ensures quality control, and maintains the scholarly integrity of all published work.