Peer Review and Guidelines

Peer Review and Guidelines

The practice of peer review is intended to ensure that only good science is published. As an objective method of guaranteeing excellence in scholarly publishing, it has been adopted by all reputable scientific journals. Our referees play a vital role in maintaining the high standards of the Abbottabad University Journal of Business and Management Sciences (AUJBMS), which is why all incoming manuscripts are Double Blind peer-reviewed following the procedure outlined below.

Initial manuscript evaluation
One of the Chief Editors first evaluates all submitted manuscripts. It is rare, but it is possible for an exceptional manuscript to be accepted at this stage. Manuscripts rejected at this stage are insufficiently original, have serious scientific flaws, have poor grammar, or are outside the aims and scope of the journal. Those that meet the minimum criteria are normally passed on to at least two expert referees for review.

Authors of manuscripts rejected at this stage will usually be informed within two weeks of receipt.

Double Blind Peer Review

Abbottabad University Journal of Business and Management Sciences (AUJBMS) employs ‘Double Blind’ reviewing, in which the referees remain anonymous to the author(s) throughout and following the refereeing process, whilst the identity of the author(s) is likewise unknown to the reviewers.

How long does the review process take?
The time required for the review process is dependent on the response of the referees. For AUJBMS, the typical time for the first round of the refereeing process is approximately 1-2 weeks, with a maximum of one month. Should the referees’ reports contradict one another or a report is unnecessarily delayed, a further expert opinion may be sought.

Final report
A final decision to accept or reject the manuscript will be sent to the author along with the recommendations made by the referees.

The Chief Editor's decision is final
Referees advise the Chief Editor, who is responsible for the final decision to accept or reject the article.

Becoming a referee for the International Journal of Business and Management Sciences
If you are not currently a referee for AUJBMS but would like to be considered as a referee, please contact the editorial office in the contact us section. The benefits of refereeing for the Abbottabad University Journal of Business and Management Sciences include the opportunity to see and evaluate the latest work in your research area at an early stage and to contribute to the overall integrity of scientific research and its published documentation.