Reviewer Guidelines

Role of Reviewers

Reviewers play a vital role in maintaining the academic quality, credibility, and integrity of the International Research Journal of Innovation in Science and Technology (IRJIST). Through objective and constructive evaluation, reviewers assist the editorial team in making informed decisions and help authors improve the scholarly value of their manuscripts.

IRJIST values the contribution of reviewers as essential partners in the peer review and publication process.

Peer Review Model

IRJIST follows a double-blind peer review process, in which:

  • The identities of authors are not disclosed to reviewers
  • The identities of reviewers are not disclosed to authors

This approach ensures fairness, impartiality, and unbiased assessment of submitted manuscripts.

Responsibilities of Reviewers

Reviewers invited by IRJIST are expected to:

  • Review manuscripts objectively, fairly, and professionally
  • Assess the originality, quality, relevance, and scientific merit of the manuscript
  • Provide constructive, clear, and evidence-based feedback to authors
  • Submit review reports within the specified timeframe
  • Maintain strict confidentiality regarding the manuscript and review process

Reviewers should not retain copies of manuscripts or share unpublished material.

Evaluation Criteria

Reviewers are requested to evaluate manuscripts based on the following criteria:

  • Originality and novelty of the research
  • Relevance to the journal’s aims and scope
  • Methodological rigor and technical soundness
  • Clarity of presentation, structure, and language
  • Validity of data, analysis, and interpretation
  • Ethical compliance and appropriate citations

Where applicable, reviewers should comment on the significance, limitations, and potential impact of the research.

Confidentiality

All manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents. Reviewers must not:

  • Share manuscript content with others
  • Use unpublished information for personal or professional advantage
  • Discuss the manuscript outside the review process

Any breach of confidentiality is considered a serious ethical violation.

Conflict of Interest

Reviewers must declare any conflict of interest that could influence their review. This includes:

  • Personal, professional, or financial relationships with the authors
  • Competitive or collaborative associations related to the research

If a conflict exists, reviewers should decline the review invitation and notify the editorial office.

Ethical Responsibilities

Reviewers are expected to:

  • Identify potential ethical issues, plagiarism, or research misconduct
  • Report suspected ethical concerns confidentially to the editor
  • Refrain from making personal or discriminatory remarks

IRJIST adheres to ethical guidelines recommended by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), and reviewers are expected to comply with these principles.

Timeliness

Reviewers are requested to:

  • Accept review invitations only if they can complete the review within the given timeframe
  • Inform the editor promptly if delays are unavoidable

Timely reviews help ensure an efficient editorial process and fair treatment of authors.

Reviewer Recognition

IRJIST recognizes the valuable contributions of reviewers by:

  • Maintaining an official Reviewer Panel
  • Providing certificates or acknowledgments, where applicable
  • Considering reviewers for future editorial roles based on performance and expertise

Reviewer identities remain confidential unless explicit consent is provided.

Communication with the Editorial Office

All communication related to the review process should be conducted through the journal’s official system or by contacting the Editorial Office.

Email: editor@irjist.org

Acceptance of Reviewer Responsibilities

By accepting a review invitation from IRJIST, reviewers agree to comply with these guidelines, uphold ethical standards, and contribute to the advancement of scholarly research.