Peer Review Policy

The peer review process can follow different models, such as open, transparent, or anonymized review, depending on the journal's policies. Reviewers' and authors' identities remain confidential during the process. Editors are responsible for securing at least two peer reviewers for manuscripts reporting primary research or secondary analysis of primary research. In exceptional cases, editors may decide based on a single peer review, provided it meets the necessary standards.

Open Access Policy

JKSS is dedicated to the principle of open access, recognizing that making research freely available to the public fosters a global exchange of knowledge.

JKSS encourages authors to deposit all versions of their papers, including preprints, accepted manuscripts, and published articles, in institutional or subject repositories. The institution expects authors to make every effort to ensure their research results are freely available in their final peer-reviewed papers. Authors can utilize the open-access option available for publishing and archiving their accepted papers.

Archiving Policy

JKSS Journal prioritizes the long-term preservation of scholarly work through an archiving policy that utilizes the LOCKSS and CLOCKSS systems. LOCKSS is open-source software developed at Stanford University Library, allowing participating libraries to build a distributed archiving system by regularly polling registered journal websites for new content and archiving it.

The JKSS Journal is archived digitally in the PKP Preservation Network (PKP PN), which preserves content through the LOCKSS Program. By following this policy, JKSS Journal helps disseminate scholarly work and facilitates global access to research findings.

Repository Policy

JKSS is dedicated to supporting open-access initiatives and ensuring the accessibility and preservation of scholarly research. The management office is responsible for depositing all published material in an institutional or subject-based repository, aiming to increase the visibility and ensure the long-term availability of research outputs. JKSS journal collaborates with (Jisc Sherpa Services) to align its policy with best practices. This policy promotes the broader dissemination of scholarly work and encourages collaboration among researchers worldwide.

Peer-review Policy

JKSS is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of scholarly integrity and ensuring the publication of thorough, valid, and credible research. To accomplish this, all submitted manuscripts go through a detailed double-blind peer review process that guarantees impartiality and confidentiality.

Initial Manuscript Assessment

All submissions to the JKSS are initially reviewed by the editorial team for completeness, adherence to guidelines, and alignment with the journal's focus and scope. Manuscripts that meet these standards are assigned to a Handling Editor, who determines their suitability for peer review.

If a Handling Editor has a potential conflict of interest or is an author of the manuscript, another member of the Editorial Board will oversee the peer review process. The editorial team reserves the right to desk-reject manuscripts that do not meet the journal’s scope and quality standards.

Double-Blind Peer Review Process

The JKSS uses a double-blind peer review process, meaning that the identities of both authors and reviewers are kept hidden from each other. This process is intended to ensure fairness, reduce bias, and uphold high scientific standards.

The Handling Editor assigns at least two independent expert reviewers to assess the manuscript.

Reviewers evaluate the manuscript on originality, validity, significance, methodology, and clarity.

The reviewers’ reports are sent to the Handling Editor along with their recommendations.

Authors receive anonymous reviewer feedback and are given the chance to address concerns in a revised manuscript if necessary.

The Editorial Board makes the final decision (Acceptance, Minor Revision, Major Revision, or Rejection) based on reviewers’ recommendations.

Selection and Diversity of Peer Reviewers

The process of selecting reviewers is a crucial aspect of publishing. Reviewers are selected based on:

Expertise in the subject matter of the manuscript.

Reputation and recommendations from scholars in the field.

Absence of conflicts of interest with the authors.

Commitment to providing thorough, constructive, and timely reviews.

JKSS is dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its peer review process and promotes selecting reviewers from different geographic regions and backgrounds.

Ethical Considerations and Reviewer Conduct

Reviewers must follow the ethical standards set by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), including:

Conducting objective and impartial evaluations.

Providing constructive feedback with clear reasoning and references.

Ensuring confidentiality of the manuscript content and review process.

Declaring any conflicts of interest prior to accepting a review assignment.

Not using unpublished material from the manuscript for personal research.

Any violation of ethical conduct by a reviewer could lead to their removal from the journal’s reviewer database.

Editorial Decisions and Revisions

The Editorial Board makes final publication decisions based on the reviewers’ feedback and the journal’s ethical and academic standards. Decisions fall into the following categories:

Acceptance: The manuscript has been accepted for publication without any further revisions.

Minor Revision: The manuscript requires minor adjustments before final acceptance.

Major Revision: The manuscript needs significant improvements before it can be reviewed further.

Rejection: The manuscript does not meet the journal’s standards and will not be considered further.

Authors must submit revised manuscripts by the deadline, addressing all reviewer concerns. If revisions are unsatisfactory, additional review rounds may be necessary.

Confidentiality and Integrity

All aspects of the editorial and peer review process are strictly confidential. Editors, reviewers, and authors must follow confidentiality guidelines to protect the review process's integrity.

The JKSS is committed to upholding ethical publication standards and follows international guidelines, including COPE's framework. Any ethical issues in the peer review process, such as data falsification, plagiarism, or biased assessments, will be dealt with through appropriate corrective measures, including retracting the manuscript when necessary.

Appeals and Disputes

Authors have the right to contest editorial decisions if they believe their manuscript was unfairly rejected. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Editor-in-Chief, including detailed justifications and evidence to support their claims. The editorial team will review the appeal and, if needed, consult external experts before making a final decision.

Timeliness of the Peer Review Process

JKSS aims to ensure an efficient and timely peer review process. The typical timeline for peer review is as follows:

Initial editorial assessment: 1-2 weeks

Peer review completion: 4-6 weeks

Author revisions (if required): 2-4 weeks

Final editorial decision: 2 weeks

While efforts are made to expedite the process, ensuring thorough and high-quality reviews remains the priority.