Peer Review Policy

The Equanimist is a peer-reviewed journal committed to upholding the highest standards of
academic integrity and quality, adhering to the guidelines set forth by the Committee on
Publication Ethics (COPE) https://publicationethics.org/resources/guidelines-new/cope-
ethical-guidelines-peer-reviewers. Our rigorous peer review process ensures that each
manuscript undergoes thorough evaluation to maintain the journal’s excellence in the
Humanities and Social Sciences.

Role of the Peer Reviewer

Peer reviewers play a crucial role in maintaining the quality and integrity of The Equanimist.
Their responsibilities include:

• Constructive Feedback: Provide actionable suggestions to enhance the manuscript’s clarity, coherence, and overall quality.
• Assessment of Significance: Determine the manuscript’s contribution to the existing body of knowledge, its originality, and the relevance of its research problem within the field of Humanities and Social Sciences.
• Evaluation of Methodology: Scrutinize the research methods, ensuring they are appropriate, well-explained, and ethically sound.
• Critical Appraisal: Conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the manuscript to assess its strengths and weaknesses.

Importance of Peer Reviewer

The peer review process is time-consuming but indispensable for ensuring the scholarly merit
of published work. The Equanimist extends its gratitude to all reviewers who dedicate their
time and expertise, often amidst busy schedules, to uphold the journal’s standards. Their
invaluable contributions help establish The Equanimist as a reputable platform for academic
discourse.

Double Blind Review Process

The Equanimist employs a double-blind review process to maintain objectivity:

• Confidentiality: Authors’ identities remain concealed from reviewers, and reviewers’ identities are kept hidden from authors.
• Expert Matching: Manuscripts are assigned to reviewers based on their expertise in the relevant study area.
• Decision Making: Acceptance or rejection of manuscripts is based solely on the manuscript’s originality, rationality, contribution to current knowledge, and reviewers’ recommendations.

Reviewer Guidelines

Before Accepting a Review

• Assess Expertise: Ensure the manuscript falls within your area of expertise.
• Conflict of Interest: Decline the review if you have any conflicts of interest, such as connections with the authors, affiliations with related institutions, or collaborations.
• Timeliness: Commit to completing the review within one month of receiving the manuscript.
• Suggest Alternatives: If unable to review, recommend qualified colleagues who can provide an unbiased evaluation.

For any issues during the review process, contact the Editorial Team at
theequanimist@gmail.com

During the Review

When reviewing a manuscript, focus on the following aspects:

1. Content Quality and Novelty
   o Evaluate the manuscript’s originality and its contribution to existing research.
   o Ensure the research questions are clear and relevant to the field.
   o Confirm that the manuscript adheres to the journal’s standards and scope.
2. Organization and Clarity
   o Title: Should accurately reflect the study’s theme.
   o Abstract: Must succinctly summarize the key aspects of the research.
   o Introduction: Should provide background, outline the research problem, and present the study’s rationale or hypothesis.
   o Methodology: Must detail the research design, data collection methods, variables, sampling procedures, and ethical considerations.
   o Results: Should present findings logically, supported by appropriate tables and figures for quantitative studies or consistent data presentation for qualitative research.
   o Discussion/Conclusion: Must interpret the findings, discuss their implications, acknowledge limitations, and suggest future research directions.
   o Tables, Figures, Images: Should be relevant, clear, and enhance the understanding of the manuscript.
   o References: Must follow the APA style consistently throughout the manuscript.
3. General Comments
   o Provide feedback on language quality, manuscript presentation, and overall readability.
   o Identify any instances of plagiarism or ethical concerns and report them to the Editorial Team.

Submission of Reviewer’s Comments

• Timeliness: Submit your completed review using the “Reviewer’s Comments” form by the specified due date.
• Honesty and Thoroughness: Provide honest, detailed, and constructive feedback to aid the authors in improving their work.
• Confidentiality: Maintain confidentiality regarding the manuscript’s content and the review process.

The editors will consider the reviewers’ recommendations carefully when making publication decisions. Your diligent and thoughtful reviews are greatly appreciated and contribute significantly to the advancement of knowledge through The Equanimist.

For any further inquiries or assistance regarding the peer review process, please contact the Editorial Team at
theequanimist@gmail.com.