Peer Review Process
The International Journal of Unified Research & Development (IJURD) follows a double-blind peer review model to ensure fairness, transparency, and academic integrity. All submissions undergo a systematic review process before publication, and the final decision rests with the Editor-in-Chief. This process applies to all manuscripts, including those submitted for special issues.
How Peer Review Works
Initial Screening
Once a manuscript is submitted, the Editorial Office prescreens it for completeness, formatting, and adherence to the journal’s aims and scope. Submissions that do not meet the basic requirements may be returned to the authors.
Editorial Assessment
The Editor-in-Chief evaluates the manuscript for its academic quality, originality, and relevance. At this stage, the paper may be desk-rejected if it falls outside the journal’s scope or lacks basic research standards.
Assignment to Editor
Suitable manuscripts are assigned to an Associate Editor or Guest Editor (for special issues) who manages the peer review process.
Reviewer Selection
The handling editor invites at least two independent experts to review the manuscript under the double-blind model, where neither authors nor reviewers know each other’s identities. For more information on peer review standards, see Wiley Peer Review Guidelines and COPE Ethical Guidelines.
Review Reports
Reviewers evaluate the manuscript for novelty, methodological soundness, clarity, and contribution to the field. In case of conflicting reviews, an additional reviewer may be invited.
Editorial Recommendation
Based on reviewers’ feedback, the Associate Editor provides a recommendation (accept, reject, minor revision, or major revision) to the Editor-in-Chief.
Final Decision
The Editor-in-Chief makes the final decision after considering reviewers’ comments and the editor’s recommendation. Authors are informed of the outcome along with reviewers’ feedback.
Revision & Resubmission
If revisions are requested, authors must address all reviewer comments and resubmit within the specified timeframe. Revised manuscripts are re-evaluated before final acceptance.
Acceptance & Production
Once accepted, the article undergoes copyediting, typesetting, and proofreading. Authors must carefully check proofs and return corrections within 5 working days. After final approval, the article is published online under Gold Open Access. Learn more about journal production process.
Plagiarism Detection
IJURD maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards plagiarism. All submitted manuscripts are screened using plagiarism detection software prior to review. For guidance on plagiarism and best practices, see iThenticate Academic Plagiarism Guide.
- Text similarity below 20% is generally acceptable.
- Reuse of words must be minimal, properly cited, or placed within quotation marks.
- Any detected plagiarism, self-plagiarism, or unethical practices will result in desk rejection or retraction of the article.
This ensures that only original, high-quality, and ethical research is published in the journal. Authors are also encouraged to follow universal research integrity guidelines such as the Singapore Statement on Research Integrity and the OECD Principles for Research Integrity.
