Become a Reviewer

Join the Journal of International and Prospective Studies as a reviewer and contribute to the advancement of research in international relations. As a reviewer, you will play a crucial role in maintaining the journal’s high standards by providing rigorous and constructive feedback on submitted manuscripts. Your expertise will help ensure the integrity and quality of the academic literature we publish. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge research, network with esteemed colleagues, and enhance your own professional development.

Are you interested in becoming a reviewer for the Journal of International and Prospective Studies? We make it easy to volunteer via our OJS system. To volunteer, please complete your reviewer profile on our user registration page and express your interest in reviewing for our journal. Your participation is invaluable to our mission of fostering diverse perspectives and scholarly excellence.

Who can become a reviewer?

To become a reviewer, you must possess deep expertise in your research field and the ability to deliver detailed, objective, and constructive evaluations of manuscripts. We have specific qualifications and requirements that prospective reviewers are expected to meet:

  • Experience: At least 3 years of research or professional experience in the relevant field of the journal.
  • Publications: A minimum of 3 publications on topics related to the journal’s focus. Check the journal’s Aims and Scope.
  • Educational background: Priority is given to applicants with doctoral degrees.
  • Reviewing experience: Preference is also given to those with prior reviewing experience.

  • Language requirement: Reviewers should be able to review papers in any of the following languages: English, French, or Spanish.

How to become a reviewer and what do our editors expect?

Every journal depends on the hard work of reviewers like you, who test and refine each article before publication. We work to establish and sustain peer review integrity by making sure that you have the right resources to carry out your peer review task efficiently and effectively.

Reviewers are integral to scholarly publishing, playing a crucial role in validating academic work, enhancing the quality of published research, and fostering connections within research communities. The peer review system, established over 350 years ago, remains the cornerstone of research validation despite ongoing criticisms. It is widely accepted as the most effective method for ensuring the quality and integrity of scientific publications.

At the Journal of International and Prospective Studies, we recognize the importance of peer review in maintaining the standards of academic excellence. Our peer review process is designed to rigorously evaluate submissions, ensuring that only high-quality research contributes to the scholarly discourse. We value the dedication and expertise of our reviewers, whose constructive feedback and thorough assessments uphold the credibility of our journal.

What do reviewers do?

Reviewers evaluate article submissions for journals, providing guidance to editors on whether the articles are suitable for publication. This involves a detailed technical evaluation of the research’s quality, completeness, and accuracy, alongside a broader consideration of the potential interest the results may hold for the journal’s readership, based on the journal’s publication criteria.

Effective reviewers work collaboratively with authors to enhance their manuscripts. They offer constructive feedback, suggest improvements, and make recommendations to the editor regarding the acceptance, rejection, or revision of the article. While the final decision lies with the editor, reviewers significantly influence the outcome. Discover more about the review process and its requirements. 

Though reviewing is a time-consuming task, it offers significant benefits for both the reviewer and the wider academic community. Reviewers:

  • Maintain rigorous standards: By participating in the peer-review process, reviewers help enforce the stringent standards of the scientific method
  • Ensure integrity: They uphold the integrity of the scientific record by identifying flawed research and contributing to the quality of academic literature.
  • Serve the community: Reviewers fulfil a sense of duty to their research community and their specific field.
  • Network globally: Engaging in peer review helps establish relationships with esteemed colleagues and integrates reviewers into the global network of their discipline.
  • Enhance reputation: Reviewers build a reputation with editors and journals, potentially leading to opportunities to serve as editors themselves.
  • Prevent ethical issues: Their expertise allows them to spot potential plagiarism, research misconduct, and other ethical problems.
  • Reciprocate professional courtesy: Since researchers often act as both authors and reviewers, participating in peer review allows them to reciprocate the professional consideration they receive from others in the field.

What type of peer-review do we adopt at JIPS?

Our journal operates under the double anonymized review model, where both the reviewer and the author remain anonymous. This approach offers several advantages:

  • Reduced reviewer bias: Author anonymity helps prevent biases based on gender, country of origin, academic status, or previous publication history.
  • Content-focused evaluation: Papers are assessed based on their content, ensuring that articles by prestigious or renowned authors are judged on their merits rather than their reputation.