Peer Review Process

Peer Review Process 

The Journal of International Students (JIS) follows a double-blind peer review process, in which the identities of both authors and reviewers are concealed throughout the review. Each manuscript is evaluated by at least two independent reviewers with relevant expertise.

All submissions are initially screened by the editorial team for scope, quality, and adherence to submission guidelines. Manuscripts that meet these criteria are sent for peer review. Reviewers are expected to provide fair, objective, and constructive evaluations to ensure the scholarly rigor and integrity of all published work.

JIS prioritizes manuscripts that demonstrate significant contributions to the field of international education, particularly those that:

  • Address under-researched contexts or populations
  • Introduce innovative theories, frameworks, or methodologies
  • Integrate theory and empirical research
  • Advance interdisciplinary and global perspectives

Review Criteria

Reviewers evaluate manuscripts based on the following criteria:

  • Significance: Does the manuscript make a meaningful and original contribution to research on international students?
  • Literature and Framework: Is the literature review comprehensive and analytical? Is there a clear theoretical or conceptual framework?
  • Research Design and Methods: Are the research design, methodology, and data analysis appropriate and rigorous?
  • Discussion and Implications: Are the findings clearly interpreted and relevant for research, policy, and practice?
  • Scholarly Presentation: Is the manuscript well-organized, clearly written, and compliant with APA guidelines?

Editorial Decisions

Based on reviewer feedback, the Editor-in-Chief or assigned editor will make one of the following decisions:

  • Reject: The manuscript is not suitable for publication
  • Revise and Resubmit (Major Revisions): Substantial revisions are required before reconsideration
  • Minor Revisions: Limited revisions are required prior to acceptance
  • Accept: The manuscript is accepted for publication

The most common initial decisions are Reject and Revise and Resubmit (Major Revisions).

JIS aims to provide an initial decision within 90 days of submission. Review timelines may vary depending on reviewer availability and manuscript complexity.

Publication and Ethics

If a manuscript is accepted, authors are required to complete a publication agreement.

JIS is committed to ethical publishing practices. Editorial decisions are based solely on scholarly merit and peer review outcomes. Article Processing Charges (APCs), where applicable, do not influence editorial decisions.

Authors retain appropriate rights as defined in the journal’s licensing policy. Full details regarding copyright, licensing, and APCs are available on the journal website.

Accepted articles are published in Online First format, typically within 60 days after final acceptance.