PEER REVIEW Policy

All research articles published in Asian Journal of Human Services undergo peer review. This usually involves review by at least two independent, expert peer reviewers. If authors are not satisfied with the peer review decision, they have the right to submit an appeal to the editorial office. For details, please read "Peer review appeals and complaints from authors" in the Publication Ethics and Publication Malpractice Statement.

Upon submitted, each manuscript is assigned to and editor who assesses its suitability for the journal's scope, its scientific soundness, and technical quality. Manuscripts that pass this initial screening are forwarded for external peer review.

The Asian Journal of Human Services follows a double-blind peer review model:

• Reviewers do not know the identity or affiliations of the authors.
• Authors do not know the identity of the reviewers.
• All review reports shared with authors remain anonymous.
• Reviewers access manuscripts securely through Editorial Manager®, ensuring confidentiality.

Authors are asked to suggest potential reviewers at submission. While such suggestions are considered, the editorial office is not obliged to follow them, and at least one reviewer must be independent of author recommendations.

Reviewer selection is critical to the quality and credibility of the journal. Editors consider expertise, reputation, recommendations conflict of interest, and prior reviewing performance. Editors must:

• Secure at least two independent reviewers for each manuscript.
• Independently verify the identity and contact information of any author-suggested reviewers.
• Ensure that at least one reviewer is not suggested by the authors.

In exceptional cases, if two independent reviewers cannot be secured, the assigned editor may serve as a reviewer, provided that:

• The editor has demonstrated expertise in the manuscript's subject area.
• The editor's role as reviewer is explicitly documented to maintain transparency.

All reviewers are required to disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest prior to accepting an invitation. All communications between editors and reviewers are strictly confidential.

The journal adheres to the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Reviewer misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

• Falsification of reviewer credentials
• Suggesting fake reviewers
• Plagiarism or misuse of confidential information from manuscripts
• Breach of confidentiality in communications 

Any confirmed misconduct will lead to strict corrective actions, including notifying institutions and banning future reviewing or publishing privileges.

Following peer review, the Editor-in-Chief (or a delegated editor) makes one of the following decisions:

• Accept - The manuscript is ready for publication.
• Revision - The manuscript requires small changes, substantial revision, additional analysis, or new data that do not affect its main findings. 
• Resubmission - The topic is academic interest, but the manuscript does not comply with submission guidelines or requires further significant results.
• Reject - The manuscript is unsuitable for publication.

Once all revisions and editorial processes are complete, the manuscripts is formally accepted.

• The received date reflects when the manuscript first passes technical checks.
• The revised date reflects when the manuscript final passes peer review and technical checks.
• The accepted date reflects when the Editor-in-Chief issued the acceptance notice.
• The published date reflects when the manuscript officially published in website.  

After acceptance, proofs are provided to authors. At this stage, only essential corrections are permitted (e.g., errors in the title, author list, or technical formatting). No changes to data, results, or interpretations are allowed. All corrections must be approved by the publishing team.

The Asian Journal of Human Services reserves the right to make final decisions regarding style, formatting, and figure presentation. 

Published 1, October, 2024

Last updated 21, September, 2025