Peer Review Policy
The Indian Journal of Astrology and Occult (IJAO) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of scholarly excellence. Our peer review process is designed to ensure the integrity, quality, and relevance of the articles we publish. We adhere to a rigorous, transparent, and fair review process that upholds the principles of academic integrity and ethical publishing.
1. Submission and Initial Evaluation
• Manuscript Submission: Authors are invited to submit their manuscripts through our online submission system. All submissions must adhere to the journal’s formatting and submission guidelines.
• Initial Screening: The editorial team conducts an initial screening of the submitted manuscripts to assess their suitability for the journal. Manuscripts that do not meet the journal’s scope or basic quality standards may be rejected at this stage.
2. Peer Review Process
• Double-Blind Review: The Indian Journal of Astrology and Occult employs a double-blind peer review process, ensuring the anonymity of both authors and reviewers. This approach helps to minimize bias and maintain the objectivity of the review process.
• Reviewer Selection: Manuscripts that pass the initial screening are assigned to at least two independent reviewers with expertise in the relevant field. Reviewers are selected based on their knowledge, experience, and previous publication record.
• Review Criteria: Reviewers evaluate the manuscripts based on several criteria, including originality, methodological rigor, clarity of presentation, relevance to the field, and contribution to existing knowledge. Reviewers provide detailed feedback and recommendations for improvement.
• Review Timeline: Reviewers are typically given 2 weeks to complete their reviews. We aim to provide authors with timely feedback and decisions.
3. Editorial Decision
• Decision Categories: Based on the reviewers’ feedback, the editorial team makes one of the following decisions:
o Accept: The manuscript is accepted for publication with minor or no revisions.
o Minor Revisions: The manuscript requires minor changes before it can be accepted.
o Major Revisions: The manuscript requires substantial revisions and will undergo a second round of review.
o Reject: The manuscript is not suitable for publication in the journal.
• Communication with Authors: Authors are notified of the editorial decision along with the reviewers’ comments. Authors are encouraged to address the feedback and revise their manuscripts accordingly.
4. Revision and Resubmission
• Revised Manuscripts: Authors who receive a decision of “minor revisions” or “major revisions” are expected to submit their revised manuscripts within a specified timeframe. Revised manuscripts should include a detailed response to reviewers’ comments.
• Second Round of Review: Manuscripts requiring major revisions are typically sent back to the original reviewers for a second evaluation. The editorial team makes a final decision based on the revised manuscript and reviewers’ feedback.
5. Final Acceptance and Publication
• Final Decision: The editorial team makes the final decision on the acceptance of the manuscript based on the reviewers’ recommendations and the quality of the revised manuscript.
• Proofreading and Formatting: Accepted manuscripts undergo final proofreading and formatting before publication. Authors are given an opportunity to review the proofs and make any necessary corrections.
6. Ethical Considerations
• Confidentiality: All manuscripts and review materials are treated as confidential documents. Reviewers and editors are expected to maintain confidentiality throughout the review process.
• Conflict of Interest: Reviewers and editors are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from the review process if necessary.
By adhering to this peer review policy, the Indian Journal of Astrology and Occult strives to uphold the highest standards of scholarly publishing and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the fields of astrology and occult sciences. For any questions or further information regarding our peer review policy, please contact our editorial team.
