Publication Policy

The Arghand Journal of Social Sciences (AJSS) is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of academic publishing integrity and transparency. This policy outlines the journal’s approach to manuscript handling, peer review, editorial decisions, and ethical publication practices.

Our publication policy is structured into phases and sections to guide authors, reviewers, and editors through each stage of the publishing process.

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Phase 1: Manuscript Submission and Initial Assessment

1.1 Submission Guidelines

  • All manuscripts must be submitted electronically to:
      alimr.212@gmail.com
      CC: rpashtoon@hotmail.com
  • Submissions must comply with the journal’s Author Guidelines regarding format, length, and referencing style.
  • Manuscripts should be original, unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere.

1.2 Initial Screening

The editorial office performs a preliminary check to ensure:
✅ The manuscript fits within AJSS’s scope.
✅ Basic formatting requirements are met.
✅ There is no significant plagiarism (checked using plagiarism detection software).

1.3 Desk Rejection Criteria

Manuscripts may be rejected without peer review if they:

  • Fall outside the journal’s scope.
  • Contain unethical content or excessive similarity (similarity index >30%).
  • Do not meet submission standards after initial corrections.

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Phase 2: Peer Review Process

2.1 Double-Blind Peer Review

AJSS employs a double-blind peer review system to ensure impartiality. Authors and reviewers remain anonymous throughout the process.

2.2 Timeline

  • Peer review typically takes 1–2 weeks.
  • Authors are notified of editorial decisions within 3–5 weeks of submission.

2.3 Reviewer Responsibilities

Reviewers evaluate manuscripts for:
✅ Originality and contribution to the field.
✅ Methodological rigor.
✅ Clarity and coherence.
✅ Ethical research practices.

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Phase 3: Editorial Decision and Author Revisions

3.1 Editorial Decisions

The editorial board makes one of the following decisions:

  • Accept: Manuscript is accepted as submitted.
  • Minor Revision: Authors are requested to address specific comments.
  • Major Revision: Substantial changes are needed before reconsideration.
  • Reject: Manuscript is unsuitable for publication.

3.2 Revision Deadlines

  • Minor revisions: 1 week
  • Major revisions: 2 weeks
    Revised manuscripts are re-evaluated by the editor or reviewers.

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Phase 4: Post-Acceptance Process

4.1 Copyediting and Proofreading

  • Accepted manuscripts undergo professional copyediting for grammar, consistency, and formatting.
  • Authors receive page proofs for final approval.

4.2 Publication

  • AJSS is published biannually (two issues per year).
  • Articles are assigned DOIs (Digital Object Identifiers) upon publication (planned via CrossRef).

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Phase 5: Ethical Publication Practices

5.1 Academic Integrity

AJSS strictly adheres to ethical publishing practices. All parties involved—authors, reviewers, and editors—are expected to follow the ethical guidelines outlined by COPE.

5.2 Retractions and Corrections

AJSS reserves the right to retract published articles in cases of proven misconduct or significant errors. Corrections to minor errors will be issued as errata in subsequent issues.

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Additional Instructions for Authors

  • Authors are encouraged to ensure their work aligns with Islamic values and Afghan cultural sensitivities.
  • All funding sources and conflicts of interest must be disclosed.
  • Copyright for accepted articles remains with the authors, but AJSS retains the right to distribute and archive the work.

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Review and Updates

This Publication Policy is reviewed annually and updated to reflect evolving best practices in scholarly publishing.

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Contact for Queries

For any questions regarding this publication policy:
alimr.212@gmail.com
CC: rpashtoon@hotmail.com