Peer-review Policy

Publication Policy:

The Journal of Interdisciplinary Research for Sustainable Development (JIRSD) is a Peer-reviewed Journal. All manuscripts published by JIRSD are quality articles and considerable efforts are made by the JIRSD Editorial Board to ensure that the research published in JIRSD is of appreciable standard. The following Manuscript types received by JIRSD are Peer-reviewed: Research Articles, General Articles, Review Articles and Research Communications. Book Reviews are edited and approved by at least one member of the Journal Editorial Board. All other Manuscript types may be Peer-reviewed at the discretion of the Editor, especially if they include technical information which may warrant such a review.

Research contributions which focus on furthering our understanding of the UN Sustainable Development Goals are given preference and priority for being considered for publishing in JIRSD. It is emphasized that the comments and opinions expressed in the Manuscript submissions, and any resultant meaning or implication, are those of the author(s) themselves, and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the Journal. The Journal cannot be held responsible for errors or any consequences arising from the use of information contained therein, nor can be held accountable to court in case of any discrepancy or offense.


The Review Process

The Journal of Interdisciplinary Research for Sustainable Development (JIRSD) follows a double-blind Peer-review process. Name(a) and affiliation(s) of author(s) are not made available to the reviewers on the Manuscript during the Peer-review process. The identity of the reviewer is kept anonymous.

Each research contribution received by JIRSD is first read by at least one member of the Journal Editorial Board. Research contributions that meet the Journal’s editorial criteria are sent for further Peer-review. Research contributions which are found not satisfactory to be published in JIRSD are rejected at this stage itself (usually after a consultation with a subject-expert in the specific area).

Manuscripts for Peer-review are sent to at least two reviewers from the respective field. A third review is also sometimes invited. Reviewers are encouraged to reply with either of the following decisions:

  • Accept the Manuscript with or without editorial revisions
  • Instructions for the authors to revise the Manuscript for addressing specific concerns and re-submit
  • Reject the Manuscript on the ground that it requires major revision and the revised Manuscript may be submitted as a fresh Manuscript
  • Reject outright, if the Manuscript does not include original work, lacks novelty or draws insufficient, confounding or inappropriate conclusions

The decision of the Peer-review, which is further vetted by the Editor, is considered final and binding. Individuals who are interested to learn further about the Peer-review process of this Journal may contact us using the Contact page found on this website.


Confidentiality

Editors, authors and reviewers are required to keep confidential all details of the editorial and Peer-review process on submitted manuscripts. Reviewers must maintain confidentiality of manuscripts. If a reviewer wishes to seek advice from colleagues while assessing a manuscript, the reviewer must consult with the editor and should ensure that confidentiality is maintained and that the names of any such colleagues are provided to the Journal with the final report.

Regardless of whether a submitted manuscript is eventually published, correspondence with the Journal, reviewers’ reports and other confidential material must not be published, disclosed or otherwise publicised without prior written consent of the editor. The Journal does its utmost to ensure confidentiality of the reviewers. It cannot, however, guarantee to maintain this confidentiality in the face of a successful legal action to disclose identity.