Article Submission and Peer Review Process
The International Journal of Kurdish Studies (IJOKS) follows a rigorous double-blind peer review process to ensure the quality, originality, and academic integrity of published research.
All submitted manuscripts must be original, must not have been published previously, and must not be under consideration for publication in another journal. Authors must not submit the same manuscript to more than one journal simultaneously.
Submission Requirements
Authors must carefully follow the journal's submission guidelines and provide all required documents during the submission process. The required submission files may include:
- Title page
- Ethics Statement (where ethical approval is required)
- Copyright and License Agreement
- Manuscript file (without author-identifying information)
Similarity screening is conducted by the Editorial Office during the initial evaluation process using an approved plagiarism detection system.
Manuscripts with incomplete or incorrect submission files may be returned to authors for correction before entering the review process.
Initial Editorial Screening
After submission, manuscripts undergo an initial technical and editorial screening by the journal secretariat and editors.
During this stage, the manuscript is evaluated for:
- Compliance with the journal's submission requirements
- Alignment with the aims and scope of IJOKS
- Basic academic quality and originality
- Ethical compliance and similarity screening results
Manuscripts that do not meet the journal's requirements or fall outside the scope of the journal may be rejected without external peer review.
Peer Review Process
Manuscripts that successfully pass the initial screening are assigned to the relevant editor or field editor.
The field editor assigns at least two independent expert reviewers who have appropriate expertise in the subject area of the manuscript. The identities of authors and reviewers are kept confidential throughout the review process in accordance with the double-blind peer review principle.
Reviewers evaluate manuscripts based on criteria including:
- Originality and contribution to the field
- Theoretical and methodological soundness
- Accuracy and clarity of presentation
- Adequacy of references and academic discussion
- Compliance with ethical research principles
Reviewers are expected to provide objective, constructive, and evidence-based evaluations.
If a reviewer declines to evaluate a manuscript or a conflict of interest arises, another qualified reviewer may be appointed.
Editorial Decision Process
After receiving reviewer reports, the editor evaluates the manuscript and makes the final decision. Editorial decisions are based on the quality of the manuscript, reviewer recommendations, and the overall academic assessment.
Possible decisions include:
a) Accept
The manuscript is accepted for publication.
b) Minor Revision
The manuscript requires limited revisions before publication. The editor evaluates whether the requested revisions have been adequately addressed.
c) Major Revision and Re-evaluation
The manuscript requires substantial revisions and may be sent for further review after revision.
d) Reject
The manuscript is not considered suitable for publication.
If reviewer recommendations conflict significantly, the editor may request an additional review before making a final decision.
The final decision regarding publication belongs to the Editors.
Revision Process
Authors receiving revision requests should submit the revised manuscript within the period specified by the Editorial Office.
Authors should provide a clear response to reviewer comments and indicate the changes made in the revised manuscript.
Revised manuscripts are evaluated by the editor and, when necessary, may be sent again to reviewers.
Confidentiality and Ethical Principles
All submitted manuscripts are treated as confidential documents throughout the editorial process.
Editors, reviewers, and editorial staff must not disclose information about submitted manuscripts or use unpublished information for personal advantage.
IJOKS follows internationally recognized ethical standards, including the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), throughout the submission and peer review process.
The journal reserves the right to reject manuscripts or take appropriate action in cases involving plagiarism, research misconduct, duplicate publication, conflicts of interest, or other violations of publication ethics.
