Peer Review Process

The Central Asian Journal of Social Science and History adheres to a rigorous and transparent double-blind peer review process to ensure the quality and academic integrity of the articles published in the journal. This process involves multiple stages, beginning with the submission of the manuscript and ending with the final decision on publication. The key feature of this review system is that both the identities of the authors and reviewers are kept confidential throughout the process, promoting impartiality and reducing potential bias.

1. Submission and Initial Screening

Upon submission, manuscripts are first checked by the editorial team for conformity with the journal’s guidelines and standards. This includes verifying that the manuscript is relevant to the scope of the journal, meets formatting requirements, and adheres to the ethical standards. If the submission passes this initial screening, it moves on to the peer review stage. If it does not meet the journal’s requirements, the author will be informed, and the manuscript may be rejected or returned for revisions.

2. Assignment of Reviewers

Once the manuscript is accepted for review, the editor-in-chief assigns it to two independent reviewers who are experts in the relevant field of social science. The selection of reviewers is based on their expertise, experience, and areas of specialization, ensuring they have the necessary knowledge to evaluate the content thoroughly. These reviewers are kept anonymous to the authors, and similarly, the authors' identities are kept anonymous to the reviewers, ensuring the double-blind nature of the process.

3. Review Process

Each reviewer evaluates the manuscript based on the following criteria:

  • Relevance and originality: Does the manuscript contribute new insights or findings to the field of social science? Is the research topic relevant to the journal’s scope?
  • Methodology: Are the research design and methodology appropriate for the study? Are the methods clearly explained and justified?
  • Clarity and structure: Is the manuscript clearly written and logically structured? Are the arguments and conclusions well-supported by evidence?
  • Literature review: Does the manuscript adequately review and reference relevant literature? Are the sources current and comprehensive?
  • Ethical standards: Does the research comply with ethical guidelines, including participant consent, confidentiality, and any potential conflicts of interest?

Reviewers are expected to provide constructive feedback, highlighting strengths and weaknesses, and suggesting revisions to improve the manuscript. They may also recommend acceptance, minor revisions, major revisions, or rejection.

4. Decision Making

After the review process is completed, the editor-in-chief considers the feedback from the reviewers and makes a decision regarding the manuscript’s publication. The decision could be:

  • Accept: The manuscript is accepted without further revisions.
  • Minor Revisions: The manuscript requires some minor changes, which the author can make quickly. The manuscript will be re-assessed after the revisions are made.
  • Major Revisions: Substantial revisions are needed before the manuscript can be considered for publication. The author is given a clear set of recommendations to address.
  • Reject: The manuscript does not meet the necessary standards or relevance for the journal and is therefore not accepted for publication.

The decision is communicated to the authors along with the reviewers’ feedback. If the manuscript requires revisions, the authors are expected to make the necessary changes and resubmit the manuscript for further consideration. Authors must submit a detailed response to each comment made by the reviewers, explaining how they addressed each point.

5. Final Acceptance and Publication

Once the manuscript meets the required standards, and all necessary revisions have been completed to the satisfaction of the reviewers and the editor, the manuscript is accepted for publication. At this stage, the manuscript undergoes copyediting and proofreading for grammar, style, and formatting to ensure consistency with the journal’s standards. The final accepted manuscript is then scheduled for publication in the next available issue of the Central Asian Journal of Social Science and History.

6. Ethical Considerations

The double-blind peer review process ensures that the reviewers' feedback is based solely on the quality of the research, free from any potential bias related to the identity or affiliations of the authors. The editors and reviewers are expected to follow strict ethical guidelines, including:

  • Confidentiality: Reviewers must keep all information related to the manuscript confidential and may not share it with third parties.
  • Conflict of interest: Reviewers and editors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from the review process if necessary.
  • Constructive feedback: Reviewers are encouraged to provide detailed, constructive feedback that can help authors improve their work.

The Central Asian Journal of Social Science and History is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards throughout the peer review process, ensuring that all published articles contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the social sciences.