IJMRAI adheres to rigorous peer review standards to ensure the publication of high-quality, impactful research. Editorial decisions are based solely on the scholarly merit of submissions, without bias toward the authors’ institutional affiliations, nationality, or geographic location.
Review Model
IJMRAI employs a single-blind peer review system. Under this model, reviewers are aware of the authors’ identities and affiliations, while authors remain unaware of the reviewers’ identities. This structure allows reviewers to assess the manuscript in the context of the authors’ prior work, contributing to a more informed evaluation of novelty and contribution. At the same time, this system requires authors to maintain high standards of academic integrity and methodological rigor, as their identities are disclosed to the reviewers.
Peer Review Workflow
The peer review process is divided into two main stages:
1. Internal Review
Upon submission via the EDAS management system, all manuscripts undergo an initial screening by the editorial team. The first step involves evaluating the manuscript for textual similarity using the Docoloc software. Manuscripts with a similarity index exceeding 20% are automatically rejected. If the similarity is below this threshold, the Editorial Board evaluates the report to ensure ethical publishing practices have been upheld.
Following the similarity check, the submission is assessed for:
- Alignment with the journal’s scope and thematic focus
- Adherence to scientific writing standards
- Methodological soundness and originality
- Compliance with ethical guidelines
Submissions meeting these criteria are advanced to the external peer review phase.
2. External Review
Papers that pass internal review are forwarded to at least three independent reviewers with expertise in the manuscript’s subject area. Reviewers are given 30 days to evaluate the manuscript and are required to submit detailed reports, including scores, comments, and supporting evidence, via the EDAS system.
Reviewers are selected by the Editorial Board based on their academic credentials, peer review history, and subject expertise.
Editorial Decision-Making
The Editor-in-Chief makes the final publication decision, guided by reviewers’ recommendations and the scientific and technical soundness of the submission. Outcomes fall into the following categories:
- Accept without revision: The manuscript is approved for publication as submitted.
- Accept with minor revisions: Minor corrections are required; authors are granted 30 days for revision.
- Accept with major revisions (conditional acceptance): Substantial modifications are needed, and a revised version must be submitted within 60 days. Authors may request an extension if justified. In most cases, the revised manuscript is returned to the original reviewers for a second evaluation round.
- Reject (unsuitable for publication): The manuscript is not considered suitable for publication, and significant changes would be required to render it acceptable. Authors may resubmit a substantially revised version as a new submission.
If reviewers’ feedback is inconclusive or conflicting, additional experts may be consulted to ensure an impartial and accurate decision.
In cases where authors disagree with reviewers’ comments or editorial decisions, they may submit a formal appeal. Appeals must be sent via email to the Editor-in-Chief at aliabed@ijmrai.edu.iq and include:
- A detailed, point-by-point rebuttal to reviewers’ comments
- Justification for reconsideration of the decision
- Supporting evidence, if applicable
Appeals are reviewed in consultation with the Editorial Board to ensure transparency and fairness in the decision-making process.
Role of the Editorial Board
The Editorial Board plays an integral role in managing the peer review process, including:
- Advising on complex or disputed decisions
- Monitoring the integrity and timeliness of reviews
- Recommending additional expert reviewers when necessary
- Supporting the Editor-in-Chief in upholding the journal’s quality standards
Through these practices, IJMRAI is committed to maintaining an efficient, ethical, and high-quality peer review process that supports the advancement of scientific knowledge in electrical and electronic engineering.