Peer Review Policy

Kerala Journal of Ayurveda (KJA) manuscripts undergo editorial review for scanning and assessment of submission standards before being sent for peer review. The editor determines whether to send the paper out for peer review or return it to the authors for revisions to fulfil KJA’s Uniform Standard for Manuscript Submission. Expert reviewers provide critical feedback to authors aimed at enhancing the quality of their work prior to publication. This feedback encompasses several key aspects, such as:

  • Suitability of Content: Reviewers assess whether the manuscript’s subject matter aligns with the aims and scope of Kerala Journal of Ayurveda (KJA), which focuses on the knowledge, research, and practice of Ayurveda.
  • Originality: Reviewers evaluate the novelty and uniqueness of the research presented, ensuring that it offers a distinct contribution to the existing body of knowledge.
  • Novelty: Reviewers examine the extent to which the manuscript introduces new findings, perspectives, or methodologies.
  • Presentation: Reviewers assess the clarity, organization, and overall presentation of the manuscript, including its writing style, figures, and tables.

 

Double-Blind Peer Review:

Kerala Journal of Ayurveda (KJA) employs a double-blind peer review process. The manuscript is transmitted anonymously to two topic experts for adjudication based on the editor’s choice. Reviewers’ adjudicatory remarks (if any) and suggestions are forwarded anonymously to the relevant author for any necessary changes. If necessary, the author is asked to respond to the reviewers’ remarks in detail and to indicate the changes in the article individually before submitting a new version of the manuscript. In this system:

  • The identities of the authors are concealed from the reviewers.
  • The identities of the reviewers are concealed from the authors.

This anonymity aims to minimize bias and ensure that evaluations are based solely on the scholarly merit of the manuscript.

 Reviewer Authority and Editorial Decision:

Experts serving as reviewers for Kerala Journal of Ayurveda (KJA) have the authority to make independent recommendations regarding the suitability of a manuscript for publication. Reviewers are requested to treat manuscripts as confidential documents and must disclose any competing interests before undertaking a review. Based on their expert assessment, reviewers may recommend:

  • Acceptance without Revision: The manuscript meets the journal's standards and can be published in its current form.
  • Acceptance after Revision: The manuscript has merit but requires specific revisions to address the reviewers' comments before it can be accepted for publication. Authors will be provided with the reviewers' feedback and asked to revise their manuscript accordingly.
  • Rejection: The manuscript does not meet the journal's standards for publication due to concerns regarding its scope, originality, methodology, or presentation.

Editorial Outcome:

 The final editorial decision on a manuscript is made by the Kerala Journal of Ayurveda (KJA) editors, taking into careful consideration the recommendations provided by the peer reviewers. The possible outcomes are:

  • Publication without Revision: Based on positive reviews, the manuscript is accepted for publication in its original form.
  • Publication after Revision: Following the authors' satisfactory revisions in response to the reviewers' comments, the manuscript is accepted for publication.
  • Rejection: Based on the reviewers' concerns, the manuscript is not deemed suitable for publication in Kerala Journal of Ayurveda (KJA).

 This rigorous peer review process underscores Kerala Journal of Ayurveda (KJA)'s commitment to publishing high-quality, impactful research