The Journal of International Relations and Politics (ULİPOD) adheres to the principles of double-blind peer review, transparency, academic integrity, and publication ethics in all published works. Authors, reviewers, and editors are expected to act in accordance with these principles. The journal’s primary aim is to publish original and high-quality scholarly work.
ULİPOD places great importance on the independence of the peer review process. Therefore:
• Authors may not suggest reviewers,
• Cannot request the exclusion of certain reviewers,
• And are not permitted to influence the reviewer selection in any way.
Reviewers are selected solely by the editors and editorial board from among experts with no academic, institutional, or personal conflicts of interest with the authors.

1. Preliminary Evaluation

Submissions are first screened using plagiarism detection software, and then undergo a preliminary evaluation by the editor(s). At this stage, the following criteria are considered:
• Relevance to the scope of the journal,
• Scientific content and academic merit,
• Language quality and structural coherence,
• Accuracy and completeness of ethical declarations.
Submissions that do not meet these requirements are either rejected or returned for revision. No manuscript will be accepted for publication without at least two positive peer review reports.

2. Peer Review Policy

ULİPOD employs a double-blind peer review process at all stages. The identities of authors and reviewers are kept confidential from each other. Reviewers must hold a doctoral degree and have published academic work in the relevant field. Reviewers must respect the confidentiality of the peer review process. They may not share the manuscript with others, quote from it, or discuss its contents in public prior to publication.
Reviewers are expected to decline the review invitation if:
• They lack sufficient expertise on the topic,
• They cannot complete the review in a timely manner,
• There is a potential conflict of interest.

Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence

Reviewers must evaluate manuscripts independently, based on their own academic expertise. The use of generative artificial intelligence tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Copilot, etc.) during the peer review process is considered unethical.
Peer review reports must reflect the reviewer’s original scientific judgment. Reports generated or modified using third-party software will not be accepted. If ULİPOD identifies a breach of this policy, it reserves the right to terminate collaboration with the reviewer.

3. Peer Review Process

Submissions that pass the preliminary evaluation are sent to at least two expert reviewers. 
Reviews are expected to evaluate the following:
• Originality and contribution to the literature,
• Theoretical framework and use of sources,
• Methodological soundness,
• Clarity and support of findings,
• Quality of academic writing and potential impact.
No manuscript is accepted for publication without two favorable referee reports. If a reviewer requests major revisions, the revised version must be re-evaluated by the same reviewer.

Inadequate Review Reports

ULİPOD expects all peer review reports to contain detailed, constructive, and original feedback. Completing only the standard evaluation form is not sufficient. Each reviewer is expected to provide:
• A detailed and reasoned assessment,
• Constructive criticism and suggestions,
• Comments supported by direct references to the manuscript.
Superficial, incomplete, or non-specific reports will not be accepted. In such cases, the editor may send the manuscript to a third or even a fourth reviewer.

4. Final Evaluation

Once a manuscript receives positive review reports and all required revisions have been completed, it is reviewed one final time by the Editorial Board. At this stage, the following are evaluated:
• The quality of the review reports,
• The academic contribution of the manuscript,
• The adequacy of revisions.
A final publication decision is then made.

5. Turkish Language Editing

Manuscripts that successfully complete the peer review process are reviewed by the Turkish Language Editor and Editor for grammar, style, and coherence. If necessary, authors are asked to highlight any revisions made.

6. English Language Editing

After Turkish language editing, manuscripts are reviewed by the English Language Editor. If further editing is needed, authors are requested to highlight changes made in the revised version.

7. Typesetting and Layout

Accepted manuscripts are processed for typesetting and layout. The final version is sent to the author(s) for approval prior to publication.