For Reviewers

Guidelines for peer reviewers at IJSHS, covering confidentiality, review timelines, and evaluation criteria.

As a reviewer for IJSHS, you are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity. Key responsibilities include:

  • Confidentiality — all manuscripts and review materials must be treated as confidential. Do not share or discuss manuscripts with others without explicit permission from the editor.
  • Anonymity — review is double-blind. Do not try to identify the authors, and do not reveal your identity in your report.
  • Conflicts of Interest — disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could bias your review. Decline to review if you have a significant conflict.
  • No Personal Advantage — do not use information from unpublished manuscripts for your own research or personal advantage.
  • Timely Response — complete reviews within the requested timeframe. If you cannot meet the deadline, notify the editor promptly.

See also the journal’s peer review process and publication ethics.

  1. Originality and Contribution
    • The manuscript presents new and valuable insights
    • It adds a notable contribution to scholarship in its field
  2. Manuscript Organization
    • The manuscript is structured according to its article type
  3. Research Design and Methodology
    • The theoretical framework and methods are clearly described and justified
    • Data and sources are analysed accurately and consistently
  4. Findings, Figures, and Tables
    • Findings, figures, and tables are clear and consistent
    • They support the manuscript’s conclusions
  5. Argument and Interpretation
    • Findings are interpreted accurately and the argument is coherent
  6. References and Citations
    • References are adequate, current, and relevant
  7. Ethical Considerations
    • Ethics approval and informed consent are reported where the research involves human participants
    • Relevant conflicts of interest are disclosed
  8. Recommendation for Publication
    • Accept
    • Minor revision
    • Major revision
    • Reject

Manage your manuscript assignments and submit reviews through our reviewer portal.

Researchers with a postgraduate degree and a publication record in the journal’s fields are welcome to apply by writing to editor@opensciencepress.com. Acceptance of applications is at the sole discretion of the editorial team.