Editorial Policy

Editorial Policy

(i) Editorial Board Structure

The Editorial Board of AJSTSS consists of:

  • Editor-in-Chief – Chairperson of the Board with the final authority on all editorial matters.

  • Editorial Board Members – Academics with strong research credentials.

  • Advisory Board Members – Senior experts providing strategic and academic guidance.

Selection Criteria:

  • A PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant subject.

  • A demonstrable publication record in peer-reviewed journals.

  • There is no cap on the number of Editorial Board members.

  • Selection prioritizes international diversity and subject expertise.

(ii) Editorial Responsibilities and Workflow

Manuscript Processing:

  1. Initial Screening: Conducted by the Editor-in-Chief to verify:

    • Subject relevance.

    • Article type compliance.

  2. Plagiarism Check: All manuscripts must pass plagiarism checks with ≤15% similarity.

  3. Editor Assignment: Manuscripts are assigned to an Editor based on subject relevance.

    • Editors must declare conflicts of interest and may decline assignments.

  4. Pre-Review Evaluation: Editors check for:

    • Scope alignment.

    • Originality.

    • Policy compliance.

  5. Peer Review Process:

    • Manuscripts undergo double-blind peer review.

    • Two reviewers are selected based on expertise.

    • Reviewers receive the manuscript and the AJSTSS Peer Review Form.

    • Review deadline: 14 days.

Reviewer Recommendations:

  • Accept as is.

  • Minor revisions.

  • Major revisions.

  • Reject.

Post-Review:

  • Editors evaluate reviewer feedback and make final recommendations.

  • Authors are given:

    • 7 days for minor revisions.

    • 14 days for major revisions.

  • Revised manuscripts may undergo a second review cycle.

  • Editor-in-Chief holds final decision-making authority at any stage.

Editor Duties:

  • Ensure constructive and timely peer review.

  • Communicate Journal expectations clearly to reviewers.

  • Attend periodic Editorial Board meetings.

  • Uphold confidentiality and ethical guidelines.

(iii) Code of Conduct

  • Conflict of Interest: Editors must recuse themselves from any conflicted assignments.

  • Objectivity and Fairness: All manuscripts are treated impartially.

  • Transparency: Prompt communication and decision-making.

  • Confidentiality: Identities of authors and reviewers are strictly protected.

  • Service to Authors: Editors must ensure:

    • Timely correspondence.

    • Respectful communication.

    • Editorial continuity during staff absences.

  • Publication Ethics:

    • Editorial Board members, including the Editor-in-Chief, may publish in the Journal, but such publications must be limited to preserve diversity of authorship.

    • No part of a reviewed manuscript should be used by Editors or Reviewers in any form.

(iv) Peer Review Policy

Double-Blind Process:

  • Both author and reviewer identities are concealed.

  • Each manuscript is reviewed by two independent experts.

Reviewer Expectations:

  • Must have subject expertise.

  • Must respect deadlines (14 days max).

  • Must maintain strict confidentiality.

  • Feedback must be:

    • Clear.

    • Objective.

    • Logically justified.

  • Reviewer recommendations:

    • Accept.

    • Accept with minor/major revisions.

    • Reject (with justification).

Special Notes:

  • Reviewers may suggest referees, but final reviewer decisions rest with the Editorial Board.

  • Failure to revise in time may lead to rejection.

  • Editors and reviewers must never exploit or disclose manuscript content.