The Aegean Geographical Journal is committed to the principles of academic excellence, editorial independence, transparency, impartiality, and research integrity. To ensure the publication of high-quality scholarly research, every manuscript undergoes a rigorous multi-stage editorial and peer review process.

1. Manuscript Submission

Manuscripts are accepted exclusively through the DergiPark Manuscript Submission System.

At the time of submission, authors are required to upload the manuscript prepared in accordance with the journal's Author Guidelines, together with all required forms and supporting documents.

Complete and accurate submission files are essential for the efficient processing and evaluation of manuscripts.

2. Initial Editorial Screening

All submitted manuscripts are initially screened by the Editor-in-Chief to determine whether they comply with the journal's basic submission requirements, including formatting, completeness of submission documents, and consistency with the journal's Aims and Scope.

Manuscripts with incomplete documentation or formatting deficiencies may be returned to the authors for correction before further consideration.

3. Associate Editor's Preliminary Evaluation

Manuscripts that successfully pass the initial editorial screening are assigned to an Associate Editor with expertise in the relevant subject area.

During the preliminary editorial evaluation, the Associate Editor considers the following criteria:

• Relevance to the journal's Aims and Scope;
• Clarity of the research problem, objectives, and research questions;
• Originality and potential contribution to the geographical literature;
• Adequacy of the theoretical framework and research methodology;
• Quality of academic writing and presentation;
• Contribution to the advancement of geographical scholarship.

Manuscripts that do not satisfy the journal's scientific quality standards may be rejected without external peer review (desk rejection).

This editorial screening is intended to improve the efficiency of the peer review process, reduce reviewers' workload, and maintain the journal's scientific quality.

4. Peer Review Process

Manuscripts that successfully pass the editorial evaluation are submitted to at least two independent expert reviewers under a double-blind peer review system.

Under this system, the identities of both authors and reviewers remain confidential throughout the review process.

Reviewers evaluate manuscripts on the basis of, but not limited to, the following criteria:

• Originality and novelty;
• Scientific significance and contribution to the field;
• Clarity and quality of writing;
• Methodological rigor;
• Appropriateness of the data and analytical methods;
• Reliability and validity of the findings;
• Scientific quality of the discussion and conclusions;
• Contribution to geographical scholarship;
• Compliance with research and publication ethics.

Where reviewers' recommendations differ substantially or where additional expert evaluation is considered necessary, the Editor may invite one or more additional reviewers.

5. Revision Process

When revisions are requested, authors are expected to prepare a detailed point-by-point response addressing each reviewer comment and clearly indicate all revisions made to the manuscript.

Where appropriate, revised manuscripts may be returned to the original reviewers for further evaluation.

6. Final Editorial Decision

The final publication decision is made by the Editor-in-Chief, taking into consideration the reviewers' reports, the recommendation of the Associate Editor, and the journal's editorial policies.

Although reviewers' recommendations constitute the primary basis for editorial decisions, the final decision also depends on the manuscript's originality, scientific quality, methodological soundness, ethical compliance, and relevance to the journal's scope.

7. Production and Publication

Accepted manuscripts undergo copy-editing, language editing (where necessary), reference checking, typesetting, and technical production before being scheduled for publication in the appropriate issue of the journal.

8. Editorial Principles

Editorial decisions at the Aegean Geographical Journal are based exclusively on the scientific quality, originality, methodological rigor, ethical integrity, and relevance of the submitted work. Editorial decisions are made without regard to the authors' academic rank, institutional affiliation, nationality, gender, or any other personal characteristics.

Throughout the publication process, the journal is committed to the principles of editorial independence, academic merit, fairness, transparency, accountability, and research integrity.

The Aegean Geographical Journal follows the principles and best practice recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and is committed to maintaining the highest standards of ethical publishing and editorial integrity throughout the publication process.