Peer Review Process

All manuscripts submitted to el-Madib: Journal of Elementary Education undergo a rigorous peer review process to ensure the quality, originality, and academic integrity of the published research. The journal applies a double-blind peer review system, in which the identities of authors and reviewers are kept confidential throughout the evaluation process. Manuscripts are assessed by experts in the field of elementary education and related disciplines.

1. Initial Evaluation

Upon receipt of a manuscript, the editorial board conducts a preliminary assessment to ensure that the submission aligns with the journal’s focus and scope and complies with the author guidelines. Manuscripts with a similarity index exceeding 35% will be rejected at this stage. The editorial team also checks the article format, citation style, and completeness of required documents. Manuscripts that do not meet these requirements will be returned to the authors for revision before being sent to reviewers.

2. Assignment of Reviewers

The editor assigns independent reviewers with relevant expertise in the subject area of the manuscript. Reviewers are selected from institutions different from those of the authors to ensure objectivity. All author-identifying information must be removed from the manuscript and included in a separate title page file. el-Madib aims to assign reviewers within two weeks of submission.

3. Review Process

Reviewers evaluate manuscripts based on scientific quality, originality, methodological rigor, clarity of presentation, and relevance to elementary education studies. Reviewers are generally given two weeks to complete their assessments and provide constructive feedback along with recommendations for acceptance, revision, or rejection.

4. Editorial Decision

The Editor-in-Chief makes the final decision based on reviewers’ recommendations and editorial considerations. Decisions may include acceptance, minor revision, major revision, or rejection. In cases of significant disagreement among reviewers, an additional reviewer may be invited. Authors will receive the decision and anonymized reviewer comments through the online system. The average time to the first decision is approximately one month.

5. Revision Process

Authors requested to revise their manuscripts must submit a revised version along with a response letter addressing each reviewer comment. Minor revisions are usually expected within two weeks, while major revisions within four weeks. Major revisions may undergo a second round of peer review by the same reviewers.

6. Publication

Once accepted, the manuscript will undergo copyediting and formatting before publication in EL-MADIB. This process ensures that all published articles meet high standards of academic quality and research ethics.

Publication Ethics and Malpractice Prevention Statement

El-Madib is committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics and preventing any form of malpractice in the scholarly publishing process.

1. Confidentiality

All manuscripts and materials related to the peer review process are treated as confidential documents. Editors and reviewers are not permitted to disclose any information regarding manuscripts under review.

2. Objectivity and Fairness

The review process is conducted objectively and without personal bias. Evaluations are based on academic quality, originality, and relevance.

3. Timeliness

The editorial board strives to conduct the review process efficiently and in a timely manner, keeping authors informed of the progress of their submissions.

4. Transparency and Accountability

Editors make publication decisions based on reviewers’ assessments and fair academic judgment. Reviewers are expected to provide clear and constructive feedback.

5. Conflict of Interest

Editors and reviewers must disclose any potential conflicts of interest. When conflicts arise, appropriate actions will be taken to ensure impartial evaluation.

6. Plagiarism and Ethical Misconduct

The journal strictly prohibits plagiarism, data fabrication, and other forms of ethical violations. Any suspected misconduct will be investigated and handled according to academic ethical standards.

7. Reviewer Acknowledgment

El-Madib recognizes the valuable contributions of peer reviewers in maintaining the journal’s academic quality and may provide acknowledgment for their participation.