Publication Process

The publication process in the Zanco Journal of Human Sciences refers to a series of stages and steps that a manuscript undergoes before becoming a fully published article in a scholarly journal. It involves several key steps, including submission, peer review, revisions, editing, and final publication. Below is a brief explanation of each stage:

  1. Submission: Authors submit their manuscripts to the ZJHS, following the journal’s specific guidelines. This typically includes preparing the manuscript according to the journal's formatting requirements and submitting it through the designated online submission system.
  2. Editorial Review: The editorial team conducts an initial review to ensure that the manuscript aligns with the scope of the journal, complies with submission guidelines, and meets all the necessary quality and ethical standards.
  3. Peer Review: Peer review is a crucial stage in ensuring the accuracy and rigour of scientific articles in ZJHS. Selected peer reviewers assess and analyse the manuscript's scientific validity, originality, methodology, data analysis, results interpretation, and overall quality. Reviewers may also comment on the manuscript's clarity, organization, and adherence to ethical standards. This process is usually anonymous to ensure impartiality. After reviewing the manuscript, the journal's editor receives peer reviewers' comments, criticisms, and suggestions. Reviewers provide authors with feedback on the manuscript's strengths and areas for improvement. Editors analyse reviewers' comments, scientific importance, creativity, and relevance to the journal's audience when making their final decision. The decision may result in acceptance, rejection, or a revision request.
  4. Author Revisions: Based on feedback from peer reviewers, authors may be required to revise their manuscripts. This stage involves addressing reviewer comments, clarifying points, and making necessary improvements to enhance the quality and clarity of the work.
  5. Editorial Decision: The editor, often in consultation with the editorial board, decides whether to accept the manuscript, request further revisions, or reject it. This decision is communicated to the authors along with any additional guidance, instruction or feedback. The average manuscript acceptance rate is 40–45%.
  6. Copyediting and Proofreading: Once the manuscript is accepted, it undergoes copyediting to refine language, style, and format. Authors may be involved in reviewing and approving the edits. Proofreading ensures that the final version is error-free before publication.
  7. Publication: The finalized and accepted manuscript is officially published in ZJHS becoming part of the scholarly record.