Peer Review Policy for SHODH SHAKTI – International Journal for Integrated Studies (SSIJIS)

Duties of Reviewers

Contribution to Editorial Decisions

Peer review plays a critical role in the editorial process, assisting editors in making informed decisions about the publication of manuscripts. Through their detailed feedback, reviewers help authors improve the quality of their work. At SSIJIS, we believe that contributing to the peer review process is a fundamental duty of all scholars who wish to support the advancement of scientific knowledge.

Promptness

Reviewers should promptly respond to invitations to review. If a reviewer feels unqualified to assess the manuscript’s content or knows that a timely review is not possible, they should immediately inform the editors and decline the invitation. This allows the editors to find alternative reviewers without delay.

Confidentiality

Manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents. Reviewers must not share, discuss, or disclose any details of the manuscript with others unless authorized by the Editor-in-Chief. This confidentiality obligation extends to reviewers who decline the review invitation.

Standards of Objectivity

Reviews should be conducted objectively and professionally. Reviewers should provide clear, constructive, and well-supported feedback to help authors improve their manuscripts. Personal criticism of the authors is not acceptable. Comments should focus on the content of the manuscript rather than the individuals who produced it.

Acknowledgment of Sources

Reviewers are responsible for identifying relevant work that has not been cited by the authors. They should ensure that any statement derived from prior research is properly cited. If a reviewer notices any substantial similarity or overlap between the manuscript under consideration and other works, they must inform the editors.

Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

Reviewers must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could affect their impartiality. This includes conflicts arising from competitive, collaborative, or other relationships with the authors, companies, or institutions connected to the manuscript. If a conflict of interest exists, reviewers should decline the review invitation to allow the editors to select an unbiased alternative.

Use of Unpublished Material

Unpublished material disclosed in a submitted manuscript must not be used in a reviewer’s own research without the authors’ explicit written consent. Information or ideas obtained through peer review are privileged and must not be used for personal advantage. This rule applies even if the reviewer declines the invitation to review.

By adhering to these principles, reviewers contribute to maintaining the integrity and quality of the scientific process, ensuring that SSIJIS continues to publish valuable and reliable research.