Peer Review Policy

SMART MOVES Journal IJELLH, a peer-reviewed journal, maintains a double-blind review model where all submissions are critically evaluated by subject experts to ensure academic quality and originality. SMART MOVES Journal IJELLH is recognized in Ulrich's Periodicals Directory as a refereed (peer-reviewed) journal. This listing signifies that the journal conducts a formal peer review process for submitted articles—an important attribute of any peer-reviewed journal in India committed to scholarly integrity.

All manuscripts submitted to SMART MOVES JOURNAL IJELLH (SMJI) undergo a thorough and rigorous peer review process, as outlined below:

Initial Screening

Before proceeding to the full peer review process, submitted manuscripts undergo an initial screening by SMJI's editorial team. This stage involves evaluating the manuscript for:

  • Plagiarism: Ensuring originality and compliance with ethical standards.
  • Grammatical Accuracy: Checking for language and grammatical correctness.
  • Adherence to Journal Scope: Verifying alignment with the aims and scope of the journal.

Manuscripts failing to meet these requirements may be rejected at this stage. The initial screening process typically takes 5-7 business days. Manuscripts meeting the minimum criteria are advanced to the next phase of peer review.

Peer Review Policy

Peer review is a cornerstone of scholarly publishing, ensuring the quality and originality of research work. SMJI employs a double-blind review process, maintaining anonymity for both authors and reviewers to guarantee unbiased evaluations.

Peer Review Objectives

The peer review process evaluates:

  • The manuscript's originality and contribution to the field.
  • The clarity, coherence, and relevance of the content.
  • Adherence to ethical standards and research integrity.

Peer Review Steps

  1. Selection of Reviewers:
    Manuscripts are reviewed by experts in the field who are independent of the journal’s editorial staff.

  2. Reviewer Evaluation:
    Reviewers assess the manuscript for:

    • Relevance: Is the research question significant and original?
    • Clarity: Is the manuscript well-structured and comprehensible?
    • Evidence: Are conclusions well-supported by data?
    • Ethics: Does the research comply with ethical standards?

  3. Reviewer Feedback:
    Reviewers provide detailed reports addressing the manuscript's strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement, using the following criteria:

    • Does the title and abstract reflect the paper’s content?
    • Are tables, figures, and references appropriate and accurate?
    • Are there major flaws or ethical concerns?
    • Is the research replicable and robust?

Double-Blind Review Process

SMJI strictly adheres to a double-blind review protocol, ensuring that neither the author nor the reviewer knows each other’s identity. This process helps ensure:

  • Unbiased Evaluations: Free from personal bias.
  • Quality Assurance: Selection of high-quality, original research for publication.

Possible Review Outcomes

The feedback provided by peer reviewers is considered by the Editor-in-Chief, who makes the final decision on the manuscript. The potential outcomes are:

  1. Accept – The manuscript is accepted as is.
  2. Accept with Minor Revisions – Minor corrections required before publication.
  3. Revise and Resubmit – Major revisions needed; re-evaluation by reviewers.
  4. Reject – Manuscript does not meet the journal's standards.

Authors are notified of the decision along with the reviewers’ comments. If a manuscript is accepted, authors will receive an Acceptance Letter, a publication agreement, and instructions for the next steps, including Article Processing Charge (APC) payment.

Timelines for the Peer Review Process

  • Initial Screening: 5-7 business days.
  • Peer Review: 40-50 business days (involving 2-3 expert reviewers).
  • Total Duration: 2-3 months from submission to completion of the review process.

The timeline may vary based on factors such as the complexity of the manuscript, reviewer availability, and the number of revisions required.

Post-Acceptance Process

Once a manuscript is accepted:

  1. Authors receive the final proof for approval.
  2. Minor formatting corrections can be made at this stage.
  3. If significant changes are made by the author, the updated manuscript will undergo re-evaluation by the same reviewers.

Upon receiving final approval from the author, the manuscript is prepared for publication, including typesetting and layout adjustments.

Rejections and Feedback

If the manuscript does not meet the required standards or aligns poorly with the journal's scope, the Editor-in-Chief will communicate the rejection decision to the author, supported by reviewers’ comments.

SMJI is committed to maintaining a fair, transparent, and timely peer review process to uphold the highest standards in scholarly publishing.