Review Policy

Review Policy

Submitted manuscripts in Al-Burz, are evaluated through OJS (open journal system) a free editorial management platform by PKP, on the basis that they present new insight into the investigated topic and are likely to contribute to research progress or a change in Brahui language and literature practice. All submitted papers are subject to strict double-blind peer review process by at least one international and one national reviewers, that are experts in the area of the particular paper. The peer review process can take anywhere between 5 weeks to 9 weeks. The aim of the review process is to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the article, in terms of originality, interest, up-to-dates, coherence, and balanced argumentation. The factors that are chiefly taken into account in review are as follows:

  • Relevance: Is this paper relevant for the topics of this journal?
  • Soundness: Is this paper technically sound and complete?
  • Are the claims supported by experimental/theoretical results?
  • Significance: Is the paper interesting for other researchers?
  • Originality: Are the results/ideas novel and previously unknown?
  • Readability: Is the paper well-organized and easy to understand?
  • Language: Is the paper written in correct Brahui or English (language) and style?

Of these, the main factors taken into account are significance and originality.

After the double-blind peer review of a manuscript, the corresponding author will receive an email in which s/he will be informed of the status of the manuscript. The possible decisions include

  • acceptance
  • acceptance with major or minor revisions
  • or rejection (Articles that are often rejected include those that are poorly written or organized or are written in poor Brahui or English)

In most cases, Al-Burz reviewers recommend that authors revise their manuscripts and send their revisions to Al-Burz via OJS, for further process. In such cases, authors may want to accept some of the comments and suggestions that have been made by the reviewers, and at the same time refute some others. It is strongly recommended that authors send in a 'rebuttal' note in which they respond to all of the comments and suggestions made by the reviewers in an item-by-item fashion. They should clearly show which comments and suggestions they accept, and which comments and suggestions they refute. Where a comment or suggestion is refuted, the author is expected to provide the reason why. However, if authors are encouraged to revise and resubmit a submission,

  • there is no guarantee that the revised submission will be accepted.
  • Rejected articles will not be re-reviewed.
  • Articles may be rejected without review if the Editor-in-Chief considers the article obviously not suitable for publication.

The paper acceptance is constrained by such legal requirements as shall then be in force regarding libel, copyright infringement and plagiarism. No research can be included in more than one publication.