Peer Review Process
Digital Social Sciences (Digit. Soc. Sci.) is committed to maintaining high standards of scholarly quality, research integrity, and editorial fairness. The journal employs a double-blind peer review ( by atleast 2 external reviewers) in which the identities of both authors and reviewers remain confidential throughout the review process.
Initial Editorial Assessment
All submitted manuscripts undergo a preliminary evaluation by the editorial team. During this stage, submissions are assessed for relevance to the journal's scope, academic quality, originality, adherence to submission guidelines, and compliance with ethical standards.
The editors reserve the right to reject manuscripts at this stage if they are outside the journal's scope, fail to meet minimum quality standards, or contain ethical concerns.
External Peer Review
Manuscripts that successfully pass the initial screening are forwarded to at least two independent experts in the relevant field for peer review. Reviewers evaluate submissions based on:
- Originality and significance of the research;
- Relevance to the field of social sciences;
- Soundness of methodology and research design;
- Quality of analysis and interpretation;
- Engagement with relevant literature;
- Clarity, organization, and academic writing standards; and
- Compliance with ethical and research integrity requirements.
Editorial Decisions
Following the review process, the editorial team may reach one of the following decisions:
- Accept – the manuscript is accepted for publication;
- Minor Revisions – limited changes are required before acceptance;
- Major Revisions – substantial revisions are necessary and the manuscript may undergo further review;
- Reject – the manuscript is not suitable for publication in the journal.
Authors invited to revise their manuscripts should submit a revised version together with a response outlining how reviewer comments have been addressed. Revised manuscripts may be returned to reviewers for further evaluation when necessary. In all cases, Editor-in-Chief decision will be final.
Appeals and Complaints
Authors who believe that an editorial decision was based on a misunderstanding or procedural error may submit a formal appeal to the editorial office. Appeals are reviewed independently, and additional expert opinions may be obtained where appropriate.
