Peer Review Policy

Overview

Synergy: International Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, published by Synergy Publication, maintains the highest standards of scholarly quality, fairness, transparency, and ethical integrity. Manuscripts, except editorials, commentaries, and book reviews, undergo rigorous peer review in accordance with the guidelines and flowcharts provided by the COPE guidelines and recognized best practices in scholarly publishing.. All submissions are screened for plagiarism using iThenticate (Crossref).

Type of Peer Review

The journal uses a double-blind peer review process:

  • Authors' identities are hidden from reviewers
  • Reviewers' identities are hidden from authors

This ensures impartial evaluation based on scholarly merit. Reviewers must maintain confidentiality and cannot use unpublished material for personal research.

Peer Review Process

1. Initial Editorial Screening

The Editor-in-Chief or handling editor checks:

  • Scope relevance
  • Originality, clarity, scholarly relevance
  • Ethical compliance
  • Plagiarism threshold ≤10%

Non-compliant manuscripts may be desk-rejected within 7–14 days.

2. Assignment to Reviewers

Manuscripts passing screening are sent to at least two independent reviewers. Reviewers are selected based on their publication record, academic expertise, and absence of conflicts of interest.

3. Reviewer Evaluation

  • Originality and significance
  • Relevance to journal scope
  • Theoretical/methodological rigor
  • Clarity and presentation quality
  • Ethical soundness
  • Potential contribution to research, policy, or practice

Possible recommendations: Accept, Minor Revisions, Major Revisions, Reject.

4. Editorial Decision

The Editor-in-Chief makes the final decision, consulting additional reviewers if needed. Authors are normally notified within 8–12 weeks.

5. Revisions

Authors must provide point-by-point responses. Substantive revisions may be re-evaluated by reviewers.

6. Final Acceptance

Only manuscripts that meet scholarly, ethical, and editorial standards are accepted.

Transparency & Timelines

  • Peer review policy is publicly available
  • Average time to first decision: 8–12 weeks
  • Average time to publication: 4–6 months
  • Submission, acceptance, and publication dates displayed on articles

Reviewer Responsibilities

  • Declare conflicts of interest
  • Maintain confidentiality. Any breach of confidentiality or ethical misconduct by reviewers may result in removal from the reviewer database.
  • Provide objective, constructive, timely evaluations
  • Avoid personal or derogatory comments

Recognition may include annual acknowledgement or reviewer certificates.

Editorial Independence & Ethical Oversight

Decisions are made independently of the publisher, based solely on scholarly merit and reviewer recommendations. Special issues and submissions from editors/board members are handled impartially. Appeals follow COPE procedures.

Appeals & Complaints

Authors may appeal decisions to the Editor-in-Chief with detailed justification. Additional opinions may be sought. All appeals follow COPE guidelines.

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