Peer Review Policy

Tijara: Journal of International Trade and Economics in Central Asia upholds a rigorous, fair, and transparent peer review process to ensure the quality, originality, and academic integrity of all published articles. We operate under a double-blind (double-anonymous) review system, ensuring that the identities of both authors and reviewers remain confidential throughout the process.

Submission and Initial Editorial Screening

Upon submission, each manuscript undergoes an initial screening by the editorial team to assess:

  1. Relevance to the journal’s aims and scope.

  2. Compliance with submission guidelines and ethical standards.

  3. Overall academic quality and originality.

Manuscripts that pass this stage are assigned a unique manuscript ID and are advanced to the peer review phase.

Double-Blind Peer Review Process

Each manuscript is evaluated by at least two independent expert reviewers selected for their subject expertise, scholarly reputation, and prior contributions.

  • Reviewer identities are kept confidential from authors, and vice versa, to preserve objectivity.

  • In cases where reviewer opinions diverge significantly, additional reviewers may be invited to provide further insight.

Review Criteria

Reviewers are asked to evaluate submissions based on the following criteria:

  1. Novelty and significance of the research question or topic.

  2. Originality and innovation in approach or findings.

  3. Scientific or theoretical rigor, reliability, and validity.

  4. Ethical soundness, including appropriate approvals and consents.

  5. Clarity and coherence of presentation, including figures, tables, and data.

  6. Relevance and adequacy of citations and references.

  7. Contribution to the advancement of the field.

Reviewer Responsibilities

We expect reviewers to:

  1. Provide constructive, critical, and timely feedback to help improve the manuscript.

  2. Complete reviews within the agreed timeline (usually 4–8 weeks).

  3. Inform the editor if they are unable to complete the review or need an extension.

  4. Maintain confidentiality — manuscripts must not be shared, discussed, or used for personal advantage.

  5. Declare any conflicts of interest (financial, institutional, or personal) and decline the review if impartiality is compromised.

  6. Report any suspected research misconduct, such as plagiarism or data fabrication.

  7. Suggest alternative reviewers if they are unable to participate.

  8. Avoid identifying themselves to authors or contacting them directly.

Editorial Decision and Revision Process

After peer review, the Editor-in-Chief and editorial board make a final decision, taking into account:

  1. Reviewer comments and recommendations.

  2. The manuscript’s originality, contribution to the field, and adherence to journal standards.

  3. Any ethical considerations or concerns.

Possible decisions include:

  • Acceptance: The manuscript is accepted for publication without further revisions.

  • Minor revisions: The manuscript is accepted pending minor revisions.

  • Major revisions: The manuscript requires substantial revisions and resubmission for further review.

  • Rejection: The manuscript is not suitable for publication.

Authors are expected to address all reviewer comments thoroughly and resubmit within the specified timeframe.

Confidentiality and Integrity

The editorial office of Tijara maintains strict confidentiality throughout the peer review process. All reviewers must treat manuscripts and associated materials as privileged information, not to be disclosed to unauthorized parties or used for personal gain.

Continuous Improvement

We welcome feedback from authors, reviewers, and readers on the review process to help us improve transparency, efficiency, and fairness. This feedback helps us ensure that the peer review process remains rigorous, impartial, and aligned with the highest scholarly standards.