Reviewer Guidelines

Double-Blind Peer Review Guidelines

The Journal International Economic Sharia (JIES) applies a rigorous double-blind peer review process to guarantee academic quality, fairness, and ethical integrity. This system ensures that neither authors nor reviewers are aware of each other’s identities, thereby maintaining objectivity and impartiality in the evaluation of manuscripts. Our procedure adheres to internationally recognized standards, taking reference from the practices of Elsevier, Springer, and other globally respected publishers.

Key Principles of the Double-Blind Peer Review

  1. Anonymity
    • Author anonymity: Authors’ names, affiliations, and acknowledgements are removed prior to review.
    • Reviewer anonymity: Reviewers’ identities are not disclosed to authors at any stage.
  2. Independence
    • Reviewers are chosen strictly on the basis of subject-matter expertise.
    • At least two reviewers assess each manuscript independently to reduce bias.
  3. Confidentiality
    • All submissions and review reports are treated as confidential documents.
    • Reviewers are prohibited from using unpublished materials for personal research.
  4. Integrity
    • Manuscripts are evaluated on originality, methodological rigor, ethical compliance, clarity, and significance.
    • Reviews must be constructive, evidence-based, and free from prejudice or conflicts of interest.

Steps in the Double-Blind Peer Review Process

  1. Initial Editorial Screening
    • Submissions are first checked by the editorial office for adherence to the Author Guidelines and journal scope.
    • Plagiarism detection is conducted using reliable software (e.g., Turnitin, iThenticate).
    • Non-compliant manuscripts are returned or desk-rejected with constructive feedback.
  2. Reviewer Assignment
    • Qualifying manuscripts are sent to at least two expert reviewers from our international panel.
    • Diversity in geography, gender, and expertise is considered to strengthen fairness and global relevance.
  3. Review Process
    • Reviewers evaluate the manuscript against explicit criteria: originality, contribution to Islamic economics and finance, research design, validity of data, clarity of analysis, and implications.
    • Each reviewer provides one of four recommendations: Accept, Minor Revision, Major Revision, or Reject.
  4. Revision & Resubmission
    • Authors must address each reviewer comment systematically and submit a detailed response letter.
    • Revised manuscripts may undergo re-review, particularly when substantial changes are required.
  5. Final Editorial Decision
    • The Editor-in-Chief, together with the editorial board, makes the final decision, taking into account reviewers’ recommendations, author revisions, and journal policies.
    • Decisions are communicated transparently with explanatory comments.
  6. Production & Publication
    • Accepted manuscripts proceed to copyediting, proofreading, and typesetting before online-first publication.
    • Authors receive proofs for approval before final release.

Guidelines for Reviewers

  • Timeliness: Submit reviews within the deadline to maintain efficient turnaround.
  • Constructive Feedback: Comments should be specific, polite, and actionable for authors.
  • Ethical Conduct: Decline the assignment if there is a conflict of interest or insufficient expertise.
  • Plagiarism Awareness: Immediately notify the editor of suspected plagiarism, data fabrication, or ethical breaches.
  • Objectivity: Base recommendations on scholarly merit rather than personal or ideological preference.

Support for Young and Early-Career Reviewers

JIES encourages the involvement of early-career researchers in the peer review process as part of academic capacity building. We recommend participation in structured training programs, such as the Elsevier Researcher Academy and the Web of Science Academy, which provide open-access resources on ethical review, best practices, and emerging policies. These programs are instrumental in developing critical evaluation skills and professional integrity among new reviewers.

Commitment to Excellence

The editorial team of JIES is committed to continuous improvement of the peer review process, aligning with COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines, Elsevier’s publishing standards, and ICMJE recommendations. By adhering to these international frameworks, JIES ensures fairness, accountability, and transparency in scholarly publishing.

Our goal is to serve as a credible platform for innovative research in Islamic economics and finance, achieving recognition comparable to world-class journals and upholding the trust of the global academic community.