Peer Review Process
Peer Review Process is a process in which the journal assesses the quality of manuscripts prior to publication, reviewed by relevant experts in their fields to review and comment on accepted manuscripts. This process aims to help editors determine whether manuscripts should be published in the MIZAJ: Journal of Islamic Counseling.
Important points in the Peer Review Process:
- Manuscripts submitted to journals first go through initial screening by the editorial team.
- Manuscripts that pass the examination will be sent to a minimum of two peer reviewers for review.
- Peer reviewers independently make recommendations to journal editors, whether the manuscript should be rejected or accepted (with or without revision).
- The journal editor considers all feedback from peer reviewers and makes a decision to accept or reject the manuscript.
The Peer Review Process for journal publications is basically a quality control mechanism, where experts evaluate manuscripts with the aim of ensuring the quality of published manuscripts. However, the peer reviewer does not make a decision to accept or reject the paper, but provides a decision recommendation. In journals, decision-making authority rests solely with the journal editor or journal editorial board.
How does it work?
When a manuscript is submitted to a journal, it is assessed to see if it meets the criteria for submission. If so, the editorial team will select potential peer reviewers in the research field to peer review the manuscript and make recommendations. There are four types of peer review used by MIZAJ: Journal of Islamic Counseling:
Single-blind: reviewers know the authors' names, but authors do not know who is reviewing their manuscript unless the reviewers choose to sign their report.
Double-blind: the reviewer does not know the author's name, and the author does not know who reviewed the manuscript.
Open peer: the author knows who the reviewer is, and the reviewer knows who the author is. If the manuscript is accepted, a named reviewer's report is published alongside the article.
Transparent: reviewers know the authors' names, but authors do not know who reviewed their manuscript unless the reviewers choose to sign their report. If the manuscript is accepted, an anonymous reviewer's report is published alongside the article.
Why peer reviews?
Peer review is an integral part of scientific publishing which confirms the validity of the manuscript. Peer reviewers are experts who donate their time to help improve the manuscripts they are reviewing.
Peer review step
- Paper Submission
The author submits the manuscript to the MIZAJ: Journal of Islamic Counseling journal. This is usually through the online system on the MIZAJ: Journal of Islamic Counseling journal page or the journal can accept submissions via the author's email.
- Editorial Team Assessment
The editorial team checks the manuscript to ensure it conforms to the journal template. Manuscript quality was not assessed at this time.
- Assessment by the Chief Editor
The chief editor checks that the manuscript is suitable for the journal, sufficiently original, and attractive. Otherwise, the paper may be rejected without further review.
- Peer Reviewer Invitation
The editor sends invitations to individuals who are suitable reviewers.
- Responses to Invitations
Potential reviewers consider the invitation on their own expertise, conflicts of interest, and availability. They then accept or reject. When possible when declining, they suggest alternative reviewers.
- Reviews Done
The reviewer takes time to go through the manuscript several times to form an initial impression of a manuscript and take notes for detailed point-by-point review. The review is then submitted to the journal, with a recommendation to accept or reject it or with a request for revision before reconsideration.
- Journal Evaluating Review
Editors consider all returned reviews before making an overall decision. If the reviews are very different, the editor may invite additional reviewers to get additional opinions before making a decision.
- Decision Communicated
The editor emails the decision to the author including the relevant reviewer's comments.
- The next step
If accepted, the script is sent to production. If rejected or sent back, the author is asked to revise with comments from the reviewers to help the author improve the manuscript. At this stage, the reviewer is also sent an email to notify the author of the revision. If the manuscript is revised again, the reviewer expects a new version of the manuscript. However, if only minor changes are requested, then the review is carried out by the editor.
