Review and Publication Policy

Review process at SABAS is an integral part of the publishing process of the scholarly submissions made. All papers published in SABAS undergo peer-review process by which experts in relevant field of the paper review and give comments to authors regarding suitability of the paper for publication. Objective is to ensure academic quality and rigor of the publication process. 

Double Blind Review Policy
All papers submitted to SABAS undergo various steps of rigorous double blind review process by which both reviewer’s and author’s identity is not disclosed to each other in order to ensure independent review and avoid any potential conflict of interests. 

Duration of Review and Publication

In order to meet growing requirement by authors for an efficient review and publication, the journal has taken appropriate measures to speed up the process yet without compromising on the quality of publication. First step is desk review whereby a paper is screened by the chief editor himself and/or assigned to editorial board. This normally takes 15-20 days after submission of the paper in order to check similarity score, appropriateness of the study with journal scope and objectives. Email is sent to the corresponding author regarding decision of this initial screening usually within a month. After a paper goes through initial screening successfully, the paper undergoes review process by the peers, in second step, by which it is sent to two reviewers who are experienced academics in the area of research the paper focuses on. These reviewers make comments on originality, contribution, appropriateness of flow of discussion and references cited in the study. After this step, review reports are sent to all authors of the paper with a letter of acceptance conditioned to fulfilment of revisions in due time or rejection/excuse. This step usually takes another 30-45 days. The third step is about sending revised copy to the copy editors who look at proofreading and editing of the paper and their report is sent to the corresponding author as well. Authors are requested to submit the proofread and edited copy of the paper within 1-3 weeks after which paper is sent for production. Print copy is sent to corresponding author on request after publication. The journal has introduced early online production system by which the advance copy of paper is published and available online before the hard copy publication.

Editorial Role in the Review Process and Conflict of Interest Policy

In order to maintain rigor and independence of review process, the papers are sent to well established scholars in the relevant field. The reviewers are different from the editorial board members. The role of editorial board members is to recommend the potential reviewers for the papers and manage the review process assigned by the managing editor.
In order to avoid conflict of interest, when papers are received from any of the editorial members, the chief editor assigns such paper to alternate editorial member to manage the review and publication process in order to maintain independence and neutrality.

PUBLISHING POLICY

CBRC, IUB Pakistan is the publisher of SABAS and assumes responsibility of all processes and activities necessary for print and online publishing of the content copy sent by the editorial board. IUB Pakistan affirms to NO INTERVENTION policy in the editorial process and activities thereof.