Hittite Journal of Science and Engineering Journal adopts a single-blind peer review model.

Selection of Reviewers
Reviewers are selected from experts in the relevant scientific field who hold a doctoral degree and have published articles. Information about experts affiliated with Turkish universities is accessed through the YÖK Academic website, while information about experts abroad is accessed through Publons.

Duties and Responsibilities of Reviewers

1. Objectivity: Reviews should be conducted objectively. Reviewers should express their evaluative comments clearly, avoiding any kind of bias and supporting their decision.
   
2. Contribution to Editorial Decision: Reviewer evaluations should assist editors in making decisions and provide authors with an opportunity to improve their articles. A reviewer who feels inadequate to review an article or believes they cannot complete the review within a short period of time should decline the review invitation.
   
3. Confidentiality: All articles submitted to the journal for review should be kept confidential. Reviewers should not share their reviews or any information about the article with anyone or directly contact the authors. The information contained in the study should not be used by a reviewer in their own research without the explicit written permission of the author. Privileged information or ideas obtained through peer review should be kept confidential and should not be used for personal gain.
   
4. Sensitivity to Research and Publication Ethics Violations: Reviewers should be cautious about potential unethical issues in the article and report them to the editor. Reviewers should adhere to COPE publication ethics guidelines.
   
5. Conflict of Interest: Reviewers should not accept to review an article that may have potential conflicts of interest arising from their relationships with the authors or the institutions to which the articles are affiliated.
   
6. Request for Citation: If a reviewer suggests that a paper should include citations to the reviewer's (or their associates') work, this should be based on genuine scientific reasons rather than aiming to increase the reviewer's citation count or visibility of their work.
   

Review Process

Reviewers' evaluations should be objective. During the peer review process, reviewers are expected to consider the following aspects in their evaluations:

• Does the article present new and important information?
  
• Does the abstract clearly and accurately describe the content of the article?
  
• Is the methodology described comprehensively and clearly?
  
• Are the interpretations and conclusions supported by the findings?
  
• Are there sufficient references to other relevant studies in the field?
  
• Is the language quality sufficient?
  
• Do the keywords accurately reflect the content of the article?

Selection of Editors
Editors are selected from experts who hold a doctoral degree and have published articles in line with the scope of the journal.

Turkey Editors Workshop Group
Our editors are members of the Turkey Editors Workshop Group.

Duties and Responsibilities of Editors

1. Coordinating the Review Process: The editor should ensure that the peer review process is fair, unbiased, and timely. Research articles should be reviewed by at least two external reviewers, and the editor may seek additional opinions if necessary.
   
2. Selection of Reviewers: The editor will select reviewers with the appropriate expertise in the relevant field, taking into account the need for suitability, inclusivity, and diverse representation. The editor will follow the COPE principles regarding inappropriate manipulation of peer review processes.
   
3. Ensuring Confidentiality: The editor should maintain the confidentiality of all materials submitted to the journal and all communication with authors and reviewers, unless agreed otherwise. In exceptional cases and with consultation with the publisher, the editor may share limited information with editors of other journals to investigate suspected research misconduct. The editor should protect the identities of reviewers. The information contained in a submitted article should not be used by the editor in their own research without the explicit written permission of the author. Privileged information or ideas obtained through the peer review process should be kept confidential and should not be used for personal gain.
   
4. Impartiality: The editor should evaluate manuscripts based on their intellectual content, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, ethnic origin, citizenship, or the authors' political philosophy.
   
5. Investigation of Allegations: If an editor finds convincing evidence of ethical violations, they should contact the Editorial Board and the Publisher to ensure that the necessary corrections, retractions, or other remedies are made.
   
6. Conflict of Interest: The editor should not be involved in decisions regarding papers written by themselves or their family members. Such a study should go through all regular procedures of the journal. The editor should follow the ICMJE guidelines regarding the disclosure of potential conflicts of interest by authors and reviewers.
   
7. Publication Decision: The editor is responsible for deciding which papers submitted to the journal should be published based on the reviewer reports. The editor must adhere to the policies determined by the Editorial Board.
   
8. Request for Journal Citations: The editor should not artificially increase the journal's ranking by trying to manipulate the journal metrics. The editor should not request citations to their own journal or articles in another journal, except for scientific reasons.
   
9. Corrections, Retractions, Expression of Concern: Editors may consider publishing corrections if minor errors that do not affect the findings, interpretations, and conclusions are identified in a published article. Editors should consider retracting an article if there are major errors or violations that invalidate the findings and conclusions. If there is evidence that the research or publication is likely to be abused by the authors or if the authors' institutions have not investigated the matter or the potential investigation appears unjust or inconclusive, editors should consider publishing an expression of concern. COPE and ICJME guidelines are considered regarding corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern.