Peer Review Policy
The Emirates Scholar Center for Research & Studies (ESRC) follows a rigorous double-blind peer review process for manuscripts submitted to its journals. The identities of authors and reviewers are kept confidential throughout the review process to promote impartiality, scholarly integrity, and objective evaluation.
1- Reviewer Selection
Manuscripts are reviewed by qualified independent experts with appropriate subject-matter expertise. Reviewers are selected by the editorial team based on their academic expertise and suitability for the manuscript. Any actual or potential conflict of interest must be declared, and reviewers with relevant conflicts will not be assigned. Authors may recommend or request the exclusion of potential reviewers; however, the final selection rests with the editorial office.
2- Review Criteria
Reviewers assess manuscripts based on:
- Originality and contribution to the field
Relevance to the journal’s scope
Methodological rigor, accuracy, and clarity
Validity and interpretation of results - Significance of academic, practical, or policy implications
Compliance with applicable ethical and academic standards
Editorial Decision - The editorial team considers the reviewers’ reports and retains final responsibility for editorial decisions. Possible decisions include acceptance, minor revision, major revision, or rejection. Where revisions are requested, authors may be required to provide a revised manuscript and a point-by-point response to reviewer comments.
3- Review Timeline
The journal normally aims to complete the peer review and editorial decision process within approximately 2–3 months. This timeframe is an indicative target and may vary depending on reviewer availability, manuscript complexity, revision requirements, and other editorial circumstances.
4- Ethical Standards and Confidentiality
All manuscripts and reviewer reports are treated as confidential. Reviewers are expected to provide objective, constructive, and unbiased assessments and to disclose any conflicts of interest. Manuscripts and unpublished information must not be shared, used for personal advantage, or uploaded to external services without appropriate authorization. ESRC follows recognized publication-ethics principles, including relevant COPE guidance.
5- Transparency and Appeals
The editorial office maintains appropriate records of reviewer reports and editorial decisions. Authors who believe that a significant procedural or ethical error has affected an editorial decision may submit an appeal to the editorial office within the period specified by the journal. Appeals are considered independently and do not guarantee a change in the original decision.
