Peer Review Process

The Journal of Development and Social Sciences (JDSS) uses a double-blind peer-review process to evaluate the quality, originality, relevance, and academic integrity of submitted manuscripts. The identities of authors and reviewers remain confidential throughout the review process.

1. Submission and Initial Screening

Manuscripts are submitted through the JDSS online submission system. After submission, the editorial office conducts an initial check covering:

  • Relevance to the journal's scope
  • Compliance with author guidelines
  • Originality and plagiarism concerns
  • Basic ethical requirements
  • Academic quality and presentation
  • References and citation practices

Manuscripts that do not meet the basic requirements may be returned or rejected before external review.

2. Editorial Assessment

Manuscripts passing the initial screening are assessed by the editorial team for originality, academic contribution, methodological suitability, and overall quality. The editor may:

  • Send the manuscript for external review;
  • Request preliminary revision; or
  • Reject the manuscript with an appropriate editorial reason.

3. External Peer Review

Manuscripts selected for review are normally evaluated by at least two independent reviewers with relevant subject expertise.

JDSS follows double-blind review, meaning that authors and reviewers are not informed of each other's identities.

Reviewers consider, among other factors:

  • Originality and significance
  • Research design and methodology
  • Quality of analysis and findings
  • Theoretical or practical contribution
  • Clarity and organization
  • Ethical standards and appropriate referencing

Where appropriate, reviewers may be selected from institutions outside the authors' institutions, including international institutions.

4. Editorial Decision

After considering the reviewers' reports, the editor may decide to:

  • Accept the manuscript;
  • Accept subject to minor revisions;
  • Request major revisions; or
  • Reject the manuscript.

Reviewer comments are normally shared anonymously with authors to help them improve their work.

5. Revision

Authors asked to revise must submit:

  • A revised manuscript; and
  • A clear response to the reviewers' comments.

A revised manuscript may be returned to the original reviewers or reassessed by the editorial team. More than one revision round may be required.

6. Final Acceptance

A manuscript is formally accepted when it satisfies the journal's academic, ethical, and editorial requirements. The corresponding author receives an official acceptance notification.

7. Production and Publication

After acceptance, the manuscript may undergo:

  • Copyediting and language improvement;
  • Formatting and typesetting;
  • Proof preparation and author checking; and
  • DOI assignment, where applicable.

The final article is published online in accordance with the JDSS publication schedule and open-access policy.

8. Confidentiality and Ethical Standards

Editors and reviewers must maintain confidentiality and disclose relevant conflicts of interest. Reviewers must not use or share information from unpublished manuscripts.

Editorial decisions are based on academic and ethical considerations and are not influenced by personal, institutional, or commercial interests.

Appeals, complaints, and ethical concerns are handled under the relevant JDSS publication ethics and research-integrity policies.

JDSS may consider recognized international publication-ethics guidance, including principles developed by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).