Reviewer Guidelines

Introduction

Al-Turath Al-Adabi recognises the essential role of reviewers in maintaining the quality, credibility, and academic integrity of the journal. Reviewers contribute significantly to ensuring that published research meets international scholarly standards and advances knowledge in the fields of Arabic language, literature, and related disciplines.

The journal follows a double-blind peer review process in which the identities of both authors and reviewers remain concealed throughout the review process. To preserve impartiality, all identifying information is removed from manuscripts before they are sent for review.

Review Process

All manuscripts submitted to the journal undergo an initial editorial screening to assess their suitability for the journal’s scope, academic quality, and compliance with submission requirements.

Eligible manuscripts are then sent to qualified reviewers for evaluation through the journal’s official review form. Reviews may be conducted through the OJS platform or, where necessary, through official email correspondence managed by the editorial office.

Reviewers are requested to complete the evaluation form carefully and provide detailed comments, observations, and recommendations based on the academic merits of the manuscript.

Responsibilities of Reviewers

Reviewers are expected to:

  1. Evaluate manuscripts objectively, fairly, and professionally.
  2. Assess the originality, significance, scholarly contribution, and academic quality of the research.
  3. Provide constructive comments that help authors improve their manuscripts.
  4. Support their recommendations with clear academic reasoning and evidence.
  5. Respect the confidentiality of all materials received for review.
  6. Complete reviews within the timeframe specified by the Editorial Office.
  7. Inform the editor promptly if they are unable to complete the review or lack sufficient expertise in the manuscript’s subject area.
  8. Notify the editor of any suspected ethical concerns or research misconduct.

Evaluation Criteria

Reviewers should assess manuscripts based on the criteria included in the journal’s review form, including:

  • Relevance to the aims and scope of the journal.
  • Originality and contribution to knowledge.
  • Significance and scholarly value of the research.
  • Clarity of objectives and research questions.
  • Soundness of methodology and analysis.
  • Logical organisation and coherence.
  • Quality and adequacy of references and citations.
  • Validity of conclusions.
  • Compliance with ethical and academic standards.
  • Quality of language, style, and presentation.

Ethical Responsibilities

Reviewers must:

  • Maintain strict confidentiality regarding all submitted manuscripts.
  • Treat all manuscripts as privileged academic documents.
  • Refrain from using unpublished information for personal research, teaching, publication, or professional advantage.
  • Conduct reviews impartially and objectively.
  • Report any suspected plagiarism, duplicate publication, citation manipulation, data fabrication, falsification, or other forms of research misconduct.
  • Avoid discriminatory comments based on nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, institutional affiliation, or personal beliefs.

Review Recommendations

After completing the evaluation, reviewers should recommend one of the following decisions:

  • Accept Submission
  • Accept with Minor Revisions
  • Resubmit for Review after Major Revisions
  • Reject Submission

Reviewers are encouraged to provide detailed comments for both the Editorial Board and the author(s), explaining the reasons for their recommendation and identifying any necessary revisions.

Conflict of Interest

Al-Turath Al-Adabi operates a double-blind peer review system in which author identities are concealed from reviewers.

However, if a reviewer recognises the author(s) or becomes aware of any actual or potential conflict of interest that may affect the objectivity of the review, the reviewer must immediately inform the editor and, where appropriate, decline the review assignment.

Potential conflicts of interest may include personal, professional, academic, institutional, collaborative, or financial relationships that could influence impartial judgement.

Confidentiality

Manuscripts received for review are confidential documents. Reviewers must not:

  • Share manuscripts with any third party without prior authorisation from the editor.
  • Discuss manuscript content with unauthorised individuals.
  • Retain, distribute, or use manuscript materials after completion of the review process.
  • Reveal information about the review process to others.

The confidentiality obligation continues even after the review process has been completed.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

To protect the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts, reviewers must not upload, submit, or share any part of a manuscript with generative artificial intelligence (AI) systems, chatbots, or external automated platforms that may retain, process, or reuse the content.

AI tools must not be used as a substitute for independent scholarly evaluation and professional judgement. Reviewers remain fully responsible for the content, accuracy, recommendations, and integrity of their reviews.

Timeliness

Reviewers who accept a review invitation are expected to submit their reports within the agreed timeframe. If circumstances prevent the timely completion of the review, reviewers should promptly inform the editorial office so that alternative arrangements can be made.

Acknowledgement of Reviewers

Al-Turath Al-Adabi highly appreciates the valuable service provided by its reviewers. Their expertise, commitment, and scholarly contributions play a fundamental role in maintaining the journal’s academic quality, publication standards, and research integrity.