Peer Review Process

Tunjuk Ajar: Journal of Education and Culture maintains a stringent peer review procedure to guarantee the excellence and validity of its published research. This process is a double-blind review, ensuring anonymity for both authors and reviewers. Experts within the appropriate fields undertake the review, judging submissions on their scientific significance, innovation, methodological rigor, and relevance to the journal's focus on education and culture.

1. Preliminary Assessment

• The editorial team examines each manuscript to verify alignment with the journal's focus and scope, compliance with author guidelines, and originality.
• The editorial team also confirms that the manuscript has been properly anonymized (author names, affiliations, acknowledgments, funding details, and self-identifying citations removed) before it is sent for review.
• Maximum similarity threshold of 15% (excluding bibliography and quotations). Manuscripts exceeding this limit are immediately rejected.
• Manuscripts that do not meet these criteria are returned for correction and resubmission. Successfully vetted manuscripts proceed to peer review.

2. Selection of Reviewers

• The editorial board identifies two independent reviewers with expertise in the manuscript's subject area.
• Reviewers are from different institutions than the authors and have no potential conflicts of interest.
• Target time for appointing reviewers: within 4 weeks of passing preliminary assessment.

3. Evaluation Process

• Reviewers assess: originality, scientific contribution, methodology, relevance to education and culture, and adherence to academic standards.
• Reviewers may provide one of the following recommendations:
• ✅ Accept
• ✅ Minor Revisions
• ✅ Major Revisions
• ❌ Reject
• Evaluation completed within 3 weeks (21 days) after the reviewer agrees to review.

4. Handling of Disagreements Between Reviewers

• If the two reviewers provide conflicting recommendations (e.g., one accepts, another rejects), the editor-in-chief appoints a third independent reviewer.
• The third reviewer evaluates blindly without knowing prior decisions. The final decision is based on the majority opinion of the three reviewers.
• If the two initial reviewers agree, no third reviewer is needed.

5. Editorial Decision

• The editor-in-chief makes the final decision based on reviewer feedback and compliance with publication standards.
• The decision and anonymous reviewer comments are communicated to authors.
• Target for first decision: within 6 weeks of submission.

6. Revision Stage

• Authors must incorporate suggested changes, submit a revised version with highlighted alterations, and include a response letter addressing each comment. The revised manuscript must remain anonymized.
• Deadlines: Minor Revisions: 2 weeks and Major Revisions: 4 weeks
• Manuscripts with major revisions are re-evaluated by the original reviewers (or third reviewer if involved).

7. Final Steps to Publication

• Accepted manuscripts must be submitted in final form for copyediting (language, grammar, consistency), formatting, and author proofreading.
• Target time from acceptance to publication: within 8 - 12 weeks.

Target Timelines Summary

• Reviewer appointment: ≤ 4 weeks
• Reviewer evaluation: ≤ 3 weeks (21 days)
• First decision: ≤ 6 weeks
• Minor revision: 2 weeks
• Major revision: 4 weeks
• Acceptance to publication: ≤ 8 weeks
• Total process: approximately 8–12 weeks

Peer Review Policy Statements

• The journal does not accept manuscripts that have been published or are under review elsewhere.
• Any form of plagiarism is strictly prohibited. Manuscripts found with plagiarized content are automatically rejected.
• All manuscripts are screened with plagiarism detection software.
• Reviewer and author identities remain confidential throughout the process, in line with the journal's double-blind policy.

With a rigorous peer review process, Tunjuk Ajar: Journal of Education and Culture is committed to maintaining the highest standards of scholarly integrity, quality, and transparency in academic publishing.