Reviewers' Guide
The organizational and practical framework for reviewers, including peer-review standards, reviewer responsibilities, and procedures for handling manuscripts from the receipt of a review invitation through the submission of the final recommendation.
Introduction
Journal of Azzaytuna University (JAZU) regards scholarly peer review as a fundamental component of ensuring the quality of published research and maintaining the integrity of the journal's scholarly record.
The journal adopts a Double-Blind Peer Review system, in which the identities of authors and reviewers are kept confidential. This approach promotes objectivity, independence, fairness, and integrity throughout the evaluation process.
This guide aims to clarify the responsibilities of reviewers, explain the peer-review process, identify the criteria that should be considered when evaluating manuscripts, and outline the ethical principles governing the relationship between reviewers, authors, and the Editorial Board.
Who Is a Peer Reviewer?
A peer reviewer is a researcher or academic with specialized knowledge and scientific expertise in the field addressed by the manuscript. Reviewers are selected by the Editorial Board to contribute to the assessment of the manuscript's quality, originality, methodology, and suitability for publication.
Demonstrated specialized knowledge relevant to the manuscript
Appropriate experience in research and scholarly publishing
Ability to provide an objective and independent assessment
Commitment to research and peer-review ethics
Criteria for Selecting Reviewers
The Editorial Board of the Journal of Azzaytuna University seeks to select reviewers based on their academic specialization, scientific expertise, and the relevance of their experience to the subject of the manuscript, while ensuring independence and the absence of conflicts of interest.
Responsibilities of the Reviewer
The reviewer is responsible for providing an independent, impartial, accurate, and constructive scientific assessment of the manuscript, thereby assisting the Editorial Board in reaching an appropriate editorial decision.
Manuscript Evaluation Criteria
The originality of the research idea and its contribution to scientific knowledge.
The scientific and practical significance of the research problem.
The soundness of the research design, methodology, and methods employed.
The clarity of the results and their consistency with the research objectives.
The relevance, currency, accuracy, and appropriate use of sources and citations.
Clarity of writing, organization, and academic style.
Peer-Review Process
The manuscript undergoes a structured series of stages designed to ensure the quality of the evaluation and the integrity of the editorial decision-making process.
Confidentiality
The journal maintains the confidentiality of the peer-review process. Reviewers must not disclose the identity of the authors, the content of the manuscript, or any information related to the review process to any unauthorized person or party.
Share the manuscript or any part of it, use its data or ideas for personal or research purposes before publication, or contact the author directly regarding the manuscript outside the journal's review system.
Conflicts of Interest
Reviewers must disclose any relationship or interest that could affect their impartiality or objectivity, including relevant professional, personal, research, or financial relationships with the author or manuscript.
Review Recommendations
The manuscript is suitable for publication without major revisions.
The manuscript is publishable after limited revisions.
The manuscript requires substantial revisions and further evaluation.
The manuscript does not meet the journal's scientific or publication requirements.
Use of Artificial Intelligence During Peer Review
Reviewers must exercise caution and responsibility when using artificial intelligence tools during the peer-review process. Manuscripts, confidential data, unpublished content, or any other confidential material must not be entered into external AI tools in a manner that could expose the manuscript or compromise its confidentiality.
Guidelines for Writing the Review Report
Timeliness
The journal is committed to maintaining an efficient timeline for manuscript processing. Reviewers are therefore encouraged to respond to review invitations as soon as possible and to notify the Editorial Board immediately if they are unable to complete the review within the specified timeframe.
Timely completion of reviews helps reduce authors' waiting times and accelerate the publication process while maintaining the quality of scholarly evaluation.
Forms and Documents
To facilitate a consistent, transparent, and professional peer-review process, Journal of Azzaytuna University (JAZU) provides reviewers with a set of forms and supporting documents. Reviewers are encouraged to consult the relevant documents before accepting a review assignment and to use the appropriate form when requested by the Editorial Board.
Reviewer Evaluation Form
A structured evaluation form used to assess the manuscript's originality, significance, methodology, results, presentation, references, and overall scientific quality.
Reviewer Checklist
A checklist to help reviewers ensure that the manuscript has been assessed consistently with the journal's scientific, ethical, methodological, and formatting requirements.
Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest Declaration
A declaration confirming that the reviewer will maintain confidentiality and disclose any actual, potential, or perceived conflict of interest before undertaking the review.
Reviewer Recommendation Form
A supporting form for recording the reviewer's final recommendation, including Accept, Minor Revisions, Major Revisions, or Reject.
Reviewer Certificate / Review Confirmation
Information concerning the journal's recognition of completed peer-review contributions and the issuance of a reviewer certificate or review confirmation, where applicable.
Guidance for Reviewers
Reviewers should use these documents in conjunction with the Reviewer & Peer Reviewer Guide and the instructions provided within the journal's online peer-review system.
Where an online review form is available in the journal's editorial system, reviewers should complete and submit the review electronically. A downloadable form may be used when specifically requested by the Editorial Board or when required for administrative or documentation purposes.
Join Our Peer Reviewer Database
Journal of Azzaytuna University (JAZU) welcomes academics, researchers, and qualified experts from various disciplines to join its peer reviewer database. The journal seeks to establish a comprehensive and specialized database of academic reviewers representing diverse fields and areas of expertise.
The purpose of this database is to enable the Editorial Board to identify and select the most suitable reviewer for each manuscript based on specific expertise, academic and research experience, independence, and the absence of conflicts of interest.
Information Required for Reviewer Registration
Please create an account through the journal's website and complete your academic profile accurately and clearly, including your specialization, research interests, academic experience, and previous peer-review experience.
Important Note Regarding Reviewer Registration
Reviewer information is maintained in the journal's database. The Editorial Board selects an appropriate reviewer when a manuscript matching their specialization and expertise becomes available. Selection takes into consideration the specific subject of the manuscript, the reviewer's area of expertise, previous reviewing experience, potential conflicts of interest, and availability within the required timeframe.
JAZU's Commitment to Reviewers
Commitment to Quality Peer Review
Journal of Azzaytuna University recognizes responsible peer review as an essential partnership in advancing the quality of scholarly research and maintaining the credibility and integrity of the published scientific record. The journal therefore highly values the contributions and expertise of its reviewers and welcomes academics, researchers, and qualified experts to participate in this important scholarly responsibility, contributing to the advancement of knowledge and the development of scientific research.
