Peer Review Policy POGOVPOL

1. Introduction

POPOGVOL: Journal of Political Science, Government, and Public Policy upholds a rigorous and transparent peer review process to maintain academic integrity and ensure the publication of high-quality scholarly works. Every manuscript submitted undergoes a structured peer evaluation to assess its relevance, originality, methodological rigor, and contribution to political science, public policy, and governance studies.

2. Double-Blind Peer Review

POPOGVOL employs a double-blind peer review system, where both author and reviewer identities are concealed throughout the review process. This mechanism is implemented to ensure neutrality, eliminate potential bias, and promote critical yet constructive academic dialogue.

All author-identifying information is removed prior to peer review, and reviewers remain anonymous to authors. This fosters objectivity and academic honesty, ensuring the manuscript is judged solely on its scholarly merit.

3. Peer Review Stages

The peer review process in POGOVPOL comprises three key stages:

Stage I: Initial Editorial Screening

All submitted manuscripts are first assessed by the editorial team to determine their suitability for full peer review. The screening includes:

• Plagiarism Check:

Using Turnitin software, each manuscript is examined for textual similarity. Manuscripts with a similarity index above 20% will be returned to the author for revision or rejected. Authors will receive a copy of the similarity report with editorial notes.

1. Scope and Relevanc :

The editorial team verifies whether the manuscript falls within the scope of POGOVPOL, specifically in the areas of political science, government studies, and public policy. Manuscripts outside these domains may be declined or redirected to more appropriate publications.

• Currency and Relevance of Citations:

Authors are expected to reference recent and high-quality sources, particularly within the last five years, to ensure scholarly relevance and engagement with current academic debates.

• Language and Structure:

Submissions may be in English. Manuscripts must demonstrate clarity, logical structure, proper grammar, and adherence to journal formatting guidelines. Papers with excessive language issues will be returned for revision.

This initial screening is typically completed within 7 working days. Manuscripts that meet all criteria proceed to the next stage.

Stage II: External Peer Review

Manuscripts approved at the editorial screening are assigned to at least two expert reviewers with specialization in the subject matter. Reviewers may come from the editorial board or external networks in political science, governance, or public policy.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Originality and contribution to the field
• Theoretical and conceptual clarity
• Methodological rigor (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods)
• Relevance to political and policy contexts
• Clarity of argument and organization
• Strength of empirical evidence or case studies

Reviewer Recommendations:

• Accept with minor revisions
• Accept with moderate revisions
• Major revisions required
• Reject (with explanation)

If conflicting recommendations arise, the manuscript will be sent to a third reviewer for further assessment. All reviewer feedback is anonymized and provided to the author(s). This stage is generally completed within 1 to 4 weeks, depending on reviewer availability.

Stage III: Final Editorial Decision

After the peer review, the editor will evaluate:

• The original manuscript
• The revised version (if applicable)
• Reviewer feedback and recommendations

Based on this comprehensive assessment, the editor may decide to:

• Accept the manuscript as submitted
• Accept with minor revisions
• Request major revisions
• Resubmit for an additional round of peer review
• Reject the manuscript

Authors will be provided with clear instructions for revision, if needed. In cases requiring further review, revised manuscripts may be sent back to the original reviewers.

Accepted manuscripts will be scheduled for publication in an upcoming issue of POGOVPOL and will enter the copyediting and layout stages in preparation for release.