Review Process

The peer review process is one of the most vital components of scholarly publishing. The integrity, transparency, and reliability of this process are essential to maintaining the credibility and academic reputation of Hamdard Englicus and to preserving the trust of authors and readers.

Hamdard Englicus strictly follows the peer-review regulations prescribed by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to comply with its academic quality assurance and annual funding requirements. Each manuscript submitted to the journal undergoes a preliminary internal screening followed by an external evaluation conducted by subject specialists with relevant expertise.

Internal Review

Upon submission, each manuscript is assessed by a member of the Editorial Board to determine compliance with the journal’s formatting guidelines, publication ethics, and academic standards. The internal review also evaluates whether fundamental research protocols—such as clarity of research design, methodological rigor, originality, and contribution to existing literature—have been adequately addressed.

Manuscripts that fail to meet the journal’s basic requirements are not forwarded for external peer review.

External Review

After successful internal screening, manuscripts are subjected to a double-blind peer review process. Authors must ensure that no identifying information appears in the manuscript to maintain anonymity. Authors are also advised not to upload their manuscripts to public platforms during the review process.

Reviewers are required to decline the review if they identify the author(s) or recognize any conflict of interest.

External reviewers assess manuscripts based on:

  • Originality and significance

  • Quality of presentation and organization

  • Research design and methodology

  • Analysis, results, and conclusions

  • Relevance and usefulness to the academic community

If reviewers identify major deficiencies that cannot be resolved through revision, they may recommend rejection of the manuscript.

Suggesting Reviewers

In accordance with HEC regulations, authors submitting manuscripts to Hamdard Englicus are not permitted to suggest potential reviewers. However, authors may identify scholars who should not review their manuscript due to actual or perceived conflicts of interest.

Criteria for Selection of Reviewers

Reviewers are selected based on the following criteria:

  1. Possession of a PhD degree or an advanced professional qualification with significant academic or professional experience

  2. Recognized expertise in the relevant field, evidenced by publications in reputable journals

  3. No prior co-authorship with the author(s)

  4. No institutional affiliation with the author(s)

  5. Adequate understanding of research methods and data analysis

Resources Available to Reviewers

Reviewers of Hamdard Englicus are experienced scholars with access to major academic databases and research resources. Additional materials or references required for completing reviews may be provided upon request.

Publication Ethics (for Reviewers)

All reviewers are expected to comply with HEC guidelines for reviewers, particularly concerning objectivity, confidentiality, timeliness, avoidance of conflicts of interest, and ethical reporting.

Steps in the Peer Review Process

S. No. Review Stage Estimated Time
1 Submission of manuscript —
2 First internal review* 3–4 weeks
3 External peer review 4–5 weeks
4 Communication of review reports (minor/major revisions)** 1 week
5 Submission of revised manuscript 4–8 weeks
6 Second internal review*** 2–4 weeks
7 Final acceptance 1 week

* Manuscripts failing to meet basic criteria are returned without external review.
** Manuscripts with irreparable flaws may be rejected at this stage.
*** Further revisions may be requested if reviewer comments are not satisfactorily addressed.

Note: Authors are strongly advised to revise manuscripts carefully according to reviewer feedback to avoid delays.

Resubmission After Peer Review

Most accepted manuscripts undergo at least one round of revision. Revision requests provide authors with an opportunity to improve the quality and clarity of their work.

Review reports are typically provided in a tabular response format, where authors must clearly explain how each reviewer comment has been addressed. Submission of this response document is mandatory.

Revised manuscripts must be submitted within two months, along with a detailed response to reviewers. If additional time is required, authors may request an extension with valid justification.

Appeal and Complaint Process

The Editorial Board of Hamdard Englicus is committed to fairness, transparency, and mutual respect. Authors or readers may submit appeals or complaints related to:

  • Alleged harm caused by published material

  • Ethical concerns or violations

  • Rejection decisions

Appeals should be submitted via email to editor@englicus.hamdard.edu.pk, accompanied by a clear and detailed justification. The Editor will review the appeal and, if necessary, forward it to the relevant Editorial Board member. The final decision may include acceptance of the appeal, additional review, or confirmation of the original decision.

English Language Editing

Authors are responsible for ensuring that manuscripts are free from grammatical, typographical, and syntactic errors. Manuscripts authored by non-native English speakers must be professionally edited prior to submission.