The International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering Research (IJECER) applies a rigorous double-blind peer review system to ensure the quality, integrity, and transparency of all published research. Both authors and reviewers remain anonymous throughout the review process, and all manuscripts are treated as confidential.

1. Overview of the Peer Review Process

• All submitted manuscripts are initially evaluated by the editorial board for scope, originality, and scientific quality.
• Manuscripts that meet the journal’s standards are sent to at least three independent reviewers for evaluation.
• The editorial decision is based on reviewers’ reports, relevance to the journal’s scope, and the editor’s academic judgment.
• Authors must anonymize manuscripts by removing names, affiliations, acknowledgements, and funding information from the main document.
• Self-citations should be written neutrally to avoid revealing author identity.

2. Reviewer Responsibilities

• Reviewers must conduct evaluations objectively, constructively, and within the agreed timeframe.
• All manuscripts and reviewer reports must be treated as confidential.
• Reviewers must declare any potential conflict of interest and decline review requests when a conflict exists.
• Reviewers should identify relevant published work that has not been cited by the authors.
• Reviewers must refrain from using unpublished information obtained through the review process for personal gain.
• Reviewers and editors adhere to COPE Ethical Guidelines for Peer Reviewers.

3. Editor Responsibilities

• Editors evaluate manuscripts solely on academic merit, originality, clarity, and relevance to the journal’s scope.
• Editors ensure a fair, unbiased, and confidential double-blind peer review process.
• Editors prevent conflicts of interest among authors, reviewers, and themselves.
• Editors take appropriate action in response to suspected ethical misconduct, plagiarism, or data issues.
• Editors are responsible for issuing corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record.
• Editors oversee appeals and complaints in a transparent and impartial manner.

4. Conflict of Interest

All parties involved in the publication process—authors, reviewers, and editors—must disclose any potential conflicts of interest. This includes financial, institutional, or personal relationships that could influence the research or review process.

5. Ethical Compliance and COPE Guidelines

• IJECER follows internationally recognized ethical standards and COPE guidelines for all stages of peer review.
• Plagiarism, data fabrication, falsification, duplicate submission, or other unethical practices are strictly prohibited.
• Authors, reviewers, and editors must report any suspected ethical misconduct to the editorial office immediately.
• All misconduct cases are documented and investigated transparently.

6. Timelines and Communication

• Reviewers are requested to complete evaluations within 2-4 weeks.
• Editors may request extensions in exceptional circumstances, and authors will be informed promptly of any delays.
• Decisions are communicated to authors in a timely manner, accompanied by reviewer feedback.

7. Appeals and Complaints

• Authors may appeal editorial decisions by submitting a written request to the editorial office.
• All appeals and complaints are handled transparently, objectively, and according to COPE guidelines.
• The journal ensures that all parties involved are treated fairly during the appeal process.

8. Confidentiality and Anonymity

• The identities of authors and reviewers are protected at all stages of peer review.
• Manuscripts are treated as confidential documents and are not shared with third parties.
• Editors monitor adherence to anonymity and confidentiality throughout the process.

9. Plagiarism and Similarity Check

• All manuscripts are screened using plagiarism detection software (e.g., iThenticate).
• The overall similarity index must be less than 20%, with no single source contributing more than 3%.
• Manuscripts exceeding these limits are rejected or returned for revision.

10. Digital Preservation

IJECER ensures long-term digital preservation and accessibility of all published manuscripts. All peer review records and published content are securely archived to maintain transparency and reproducibility.

11. Contact Information

Any ethical concerns, suspected misconduct, or questions regarding the peer review process should be reported to the editorial office: info@ijecer.org. The editorial office is responsible for investigating and resolving all issues in a timely and fair manner.