📌 Peer Review Process

Introduction

The Prithvi Journal of Academic Research & Development (PJARD) , upholds the highest standards of academic integrity and publication ethics. To ensure the quality, originality, and scholarly value of every published article, PJARD follows a rigorous double-blind peer review process. All manuscripts submitted to the journal undergo multiple stages of evaluation before acceptance and publication.

Double-Blind Peer Review

PJARD adopts a double-blind peer review system, wherein both the author(s) and reviewers remain anonymous to each other.This approach ensures impartiality and minimizes bias by concealing the identities of both parties during the review process. Any information that could potentially reveal the identity of the author(s) is removed before the manuscript is sent to reviewers. Similarly, reviewers’ identities remain undisclosed when communicating their comments or recommendations to the author(s).

PJARD considers the double-blind review system as an effective mechanism to maintain fairness, objectivity, and integrity in scholarly publishing.

Stages of the Peer Review Process

The review process at PJARD comprises three distinct stages:

Stage 1: Editorial Office Screening.

Upon submission, each manuscript is first evaluated by the Editorial Office to determine its suitability for external review. This preliminary check includes:

1. Plagiarism Screening:

1. o All manuscripts are checked for originality using Plagiarism Checker X
2. o Manuscripts with an unacceptably high similarity index (including overlap with the author’s own previous work) are rejected.
3. o Authors are provided with a similarity report along with the editorial decision.

2. Scope Verification:

1. o The manuscript is assessed to ensure that it aligns with the aims and scope of PJARD.
2. o If the topic falls outside PJARD’s scope, authors may be advised to transfer their submission to a more suitable journal, with their consent.
3. o Transferred manuscripts are subject to a fresh review process in the receiving journal.

3. Reference Quality:

1. o Authors are encouraged to include recent and relevant literature, particularly from the last five years, to strengthen the contextual basis of their research.

4. Language and Structure:

1. o PJARD publishes manuscripts in English.
2. o Submissions are checked for clarity, coherence, and adherence to the journal’s formatting and submission guidelines.
3. o Minor grammatical corrections may be made editorially without altering the content. However, manuscripts requiring substantial language improvement are returned to authors for revision.

Manuscripts that do not meet the criteria at this stage are returned for correction and resubmission. This initial screening is typically completed within one week of submission.

Stage 2: External Peer Review.

Manuscripts that pass the editorial screening proceed to external peer review.

1. • A minimum of two expert reviewers are assigned based on their subject expertise and previous publication record.
2. • Reviewers are selected from PJARD’s reviewer database, editorial board, or other academic sources.
3. • Reviewers initially receive the manuscript abstract to confirm their willingness and availability to review. Upon acceptance, the anonymized full manuscript is shared.
4. • Reviewers evaluate the manuscript for originality, methodology, scholarly contribution, clarity, and adherence to ethical standards.
5. • They submit a detailed report and recommendation — accept, minor revision, major revision, or reject.

Stage 3: Editorial Decision.

The Editor-in-Chief or designated Section Editor evaluates reviewers’ feedback and makes the final decision on the manuscript.

Possible editorial decisions include:

1. • Accept as submitted
2. • Accept with minor revisions
3. • Revise and resubmit after major revisions
4. • Reject

Authors receive constructive reviewer comments to guide necessary revisions. In cases of major revision, the revised manuscript may be re-evaluated by the same reviewers.

The editorial decision is final and made in accordance with the recommendations of the reviewers and the overall merit of the manuscript.

Ethical Considerations.

PJARD is committed to maintaining transparency, confidentiality, and fairness throughout the review process. Reviewers are expected to:

1. • Maintain confidentiality of all manuscripts.
2. • Disclose any potential conflict of interest.
3. • Provide unbiased, constructive, and timely feedback.

Timelines.

PJARD strives to ensure a prompt and efficient review process.

1. • Initial editorial screening: Within 7 days of submission.
2. • External peer review: Typically completed within 4–6 weeks.
3. • Final decision: Communicated within 8 weeks of submission, depending on reviewer availability and revisions.