Umm Al-Qura University journals are committed to conducting rigorous double-blind peer review (wherein the identities of both authors and reviewers remain concealed from each other) to ensure an objective evaluation of all submitted manuscripts. All submissions undergo an initial screening by the Editorial Board to assess their suitability for publication within the journal. Manuscripts deemed suitable are subsequently forwarded to at least two independent expert reviewers specializing in the respective field to evaluate their scholarly merit. The final decision regarding the acceptance or rejection of any manuscript remains within the exclusive purview of the Editor-in-Chief, whose decision is final and binding.
To uphold academic integrity and transparency, members of the Editorial Board recuse themselves from making any decisions regarding manuscripts they have co-authored, those submitted by family members or colleagues, or any submission related to a product or service in which they hold a direct interest. Such submissions are subjected to standard peer-review procedures, conducted entirely independently to ensure complete fairness and impartiality.
Use of Artificial Intelligence by Reviewers
Reviewers represent an essential pillar in preserving the integrity of scholarly publishing; the Editorial Board’s decisions rely heavily on their rigorous assessments and specialized recommendations to ensure the publication of credible, robust, and high-quality research. Reviewers are selected based on their profound expertise in the subject matter or research methodology of the manuscript.
Reviewers bear full responsibility for the scholarly accuracy and perspectives presented in their evaluation reports, as the peer-review system is founded upon mutual trust among authors, reviewers, and the Editorial Board. Although generative artificial intelligence tools are advancing, they possess inherent limitations, including the risk of generating inaccurate, biased, or misleading information. Furthermore, manuscripts may contain sensitive data or intellectual property that must remain strictly confidential. Consequently, reviewers are strongly advised against uploading or inputting manuscripts into generative AI platforms.
The Peer-Review Process
Umm Al-Qura University journals adhere to the highest standards of integrity, rigor, and transparency in scholarly publishing. Peer review constitutes a fundamental cornerstone in safeguarding the quality and credibility of published research. Below is an overview of the approved peer-review workflow:
Manuscript Submission and Initial Screening
Upon receipt, the manuscript is immediately evaluated by the Editorial Board to ensure its alignment with the journal’s scope and aims. Submissions that satisfy the requisite criteria proceed to the subsequent stage.Selection of Reviewers
Subject-matter expertise is essential for evaluating the scholarly and academic merit of a manuscript. Accordingly, reviewers are meticulously selected based on their specialized expertise in the topic under review. The review panel may include Editorial Board members or highly qualified external experts.Double-Blind Peer Review
Umm Al-Qura University journals employ a double-blind peer-review model, where the identities of both authors and reviewers are mutually concealed, thereby ensuring impartial evaluation and mitigating potential bias.
Manuscript Evaluation
Reviewers are requested to evaluate manuscripts based on the following criteria:
Originality of the work and its contribution to the journal's field
Soundness and rigor of the research methodology
Clarity, structure, and coherence of presentation
Quality and precision of scholarly references
Compliance with ethical and academic standards
Reviewers’ feedback must remain professional, constructive, and strictly focused on scholarly merit.
Reviewer Recommendations
Each reviewer is required to provide a clear recommendation selected from the following options:
Accept with minor revisions
Reject with an option to resubmit following revisions
Outright reject without the option to resubmit
All recommendations must be substantiated with clear, detailed evaluative comments.
Editorial Board Decision
The Editorial Board examines the reviewers' reports and renders the final decision. In cases where reviewers’ recommendations diverge, an additional reviewer may be consulted, or the Editorial Board may determine the outcome based on its professional judgment.
Revision and Resubmission
When revisions are requested, the author receives detailed feedback and is granted the opportunity to revise and enhance the manuscript prior to the final decision.
Ethical Considerations
Manuscripts are rigorously scrutinized for plagiarism, textual recycling, conflicts of interest, and adherence to scientific research ethics.
Timely Review Process
The journals are committed to managing the peer-review process efficiently, aiming to minimize the interval between manuscript submission and publication without compromising the depth and quality of the evaluation.
Transparency
We maintain transparency by sharing reviewers’ evaluative reports with authors (while preserving reviewer anonymity) and conveying editorial decisions directly and explicitly.
Through these robust measures, Umm Al-Qura University journals strive to ensure the highest standards of quality, fairness, and credibility throughout the peer-review process, thereby reinforcing the trust of authors, reviewers, and readers alike.