Submission

• Q: How do I submit my manuscript?
  A: Authors can upload their manuscripts on the website during the submission window, which typically opens in the 1st or 2nd week of every quarter (January, April, July, October). Updates will be announced on the journal's website.
• Q: Is manuscript submission accepted through email?
  A: No, manuscript submissions are not accepted via email. To ensure a streamlined and organized submission process, all manuscripts must be submitted through the journal's official online submission system. This system is designed to manage submissions efficiently, track the review process, and maintain transparency for both authors and the editorial team. Using the online system also allows authors to check the status of their submissions at any stage and ensures that all required documents, including plagiarism reports and supplementary materials, are submitted correctly. Authors are encouraged to follow the submission guidelines available on the journal's website for a smooth and hassle-free submission experience.
• Q: Are there any specific fields of study for submissions?
  A: Yes, the journal accepts submissions in the following fields:
  
  • Economics, Political Economy, Commerce, Management
  • Anthropology, Sociology, Social Work, History, Archaeology
  • Geography, Environmental Studies, Sustainable Development, Area Studies
  • Political Science, Public Policy, Law, International Relations
  • Language Studies, Cultural Studies, Media and Communication, Library Science
  • Education, Health, Psychology, Philosophy, Social Exclusion, Gender Studies
  • Other Interdisciplinary Studies
  The journal encourages scholars to submit manuscripts in interdisciplinary areas of high quality, supported by methodological rigor and empirical evidence.
• Q: Can I submit multiple papers for a single issue?
  A: While you can submit multiple papers, we strongly recommend limiting submissions to one paper per issue. As we publish only one paper of an author in an Issue.
• Q: Can the journal publish two papers of the same author?
  A: No, the journal does not publish more than one paper from the same author in a single issue.
• Q: Can I publish articles in two subsequent issues?
  A: No, As per our policy, Manuscripts from the same author will not be published in two issues within the same calendar year to ensure opportunities for a diverse range of authors. Any exceptions to this policy will be at the discretion of the editorial board, whose decision will be final.
• Q: What happens if the manuscript does not follow the journal template?
  A: Manuscripts that do not adhere to the journal's template will be declined.
• Q: What happens if a published article is found to be plagiarized?
  A: The journal will retract the article and will accept submission from the author for future issues.

Review

• Q: Where can I check the status of my manuscript?
  A: Authors can track their manuscript status from the dashboard on the submission portal of our website.
• Q: What type of peer review does the journal use?
  A: The journal follows a double-blind peer review process, ensuring anonymity for both authors and reviewers to maintain impartiality and fairness in evaluations.
• Q: How many days does the reviewer take to review a paper?
  A: Reviewers are typically given 30 working days to provide feedback.
• Q: What happens if a reviewer does not provide a review in time?
  A: The editorial team will reassign the manuscript to another reviewer to avoid delays.
• Q: How are reviewers selected?
  A: Reviewers are carefully selected based on their expertise in the manuscript’s subject area, ensuring a thorough and informed evaluation of submissions.
• Q: Can I suggest reviewers?
  A: Yes, authors may suggest reviewers by sending a profile of the reviewer to the Journal office. However, the editorial board retains the final decision on the selection of reviewers to ensure an unbiased review process.
• Q: Does the journal prioritize PhD scholars’ manuscripts over others?
  A: No, the journal evaluates all manuscripts solely based on their academic merit, originality, and adherence to the journal’s submission guidelines. Each submission is assessed through a rigorous peer-review process, where factors such as the research question's clarity, methodological rigor, quality of data and analysis, and the overall contribution to the field are prioritized. This inclusive approach ensures that the focus remains on the quality and relevance of the research rather than the author's academic designation or qualifications.
• Q: Does the journal publish in accelerated mode?
  A: No, the journal does not offer an accelerated or expedited publication option. Each manuscript undergoes a comprehensive and structured editorial and peer-review process to ensure the highest standards of quality and academic rigor.
• Q: If my manuscript is declined, can I resubmit it?
  A: Declined manuscripts cannot be reconsidered for the same issue. However, authors may resubmit significantly revised manuscripts for consideration in subsequent issues. Resubmissions will be treated as new submissions and evaluated accordingly.
• Q: What factors are considered when accepting or declining a manuscript for publication?
  A: At the South India Journal of Social Sciences (SIJSS), the acceptance or decline of manuscripts is based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes several key factors:
  • Initial Compliance Check: Manuscripts are reviewed to ensure they meet the submission guidelines, including formatting, word count, plagiarism thresholds, and ethical standards. Submissions that fail to comply with these criteria may be declined during the initial screening.
  • Plagiarism and Ethical Standards: Manuscripts found to contain plagiarized content or ethical concerns related to the research will be rejected outright.
  • Scope and Relevance: Articles must align with the journal's objectives and be of interest to our readership. Manuscripts that fall outside the scope or are not relevant to our audience will not be considered for publication.
  • Content Variety and Balance: The journal strives to ensure a diverse and balanced selection of articles in each issue. Even well-written manuscripts may be declined if similar topics have already been accepted. This helps maintain a comprehensive collection covering a wide range of subjects.
  • Space Limitations: As a print journal, space constraints significantly impact manuscript selection. We can only accommodate 20–25 articles per issue out of the 400+ submissions received. As a result, even high-quality manuscripts may need to be declined if space does not permit their inclusion.
  A declined submission does not necessarily reflect the quality of the manuscript. Instead, it may be due to alignment, diversity, or space considerations. Authors are encouraged to review submission guidelines and consider these factors when preparing manuscripts for future submissions.

Plagiarism and Tools

• Q: Is a plagiarism report mandatory for manuscript submission?
  A: Yes, manuscripts must include a plagiarism report from a recognized tool.
• Q: What are the accepted plagiarism detection tools?
  A: The journal accepts plagiarism reports generated using reputable and widely recognized tools such as iThenticate, Turnitin, Urkund, and DrillBit. These tools are trusted within academic and scholarly communities for their accuracy and effectiveness in detecting instances of overlap or duplication. Authors are encouraged to use these tools to ensure their manuscripts meet the journal's originality standards before submission.
• Q: What is the acceptable level of similarity?
  A: Up to 10% for research articles and 15% for reviews and other types of publications.

UGC-CARE Listing and ISSN Information

• Q: What is the ISSN of the journal?
  A: The journal is identified with the following ISSNs:
  • Print ISSN: 0972-8945
  • Online ISSN: 3048-6165
  These can be verified on the official ISSN portal at ISSN Verification. The journal has recently been assigned an online ISSN, reflecting its expansion into digital publishing.
• Q: Is the journal UGC-CARE listed?
  A: Yes, the journal is included in UGC-CARE List Group I. This can be confirmed on the official UGC-CARE portal at UGC-CARE Verification.

Publication Format and Fees

• Q: Is the journal published in print or online?
  A: The journal is primarily published in print format. However, we also maintain a robust online presence, ensuring broader accessibility to its content for readers and authors globally.
• Q: Are there any submission charges?
  A: Currently, there are no submission charges for authors submitting manuscripts to the journal.
• Q: Are there any Article Processing Charges (APC)?
  A: Yes, an Article Processing Charge (APC) is applicable for accepted manuscripts. This fee covers publication costs and ensures that the article is freely available online as open access. Details about the APC can be found here.
• Q: Does the journal collaborate with conference organizers?
  A: No, the journal does not collaborate with conference organizers. Authors interested in publishing their work in the journal must submit their manuscripts directly through the journal's website (www.sijss.com) during the designated submission window. All submissions undergo the standard review process as outlined in the journal's guidelines.

General Information

• Q: Do you provide DOIs for published manuscripts?
  A: Yes, for now, we are providing DOIs free of cost for the online version of the journal.
• Q: Does the Journal accept submission even after the submission window is closed?
  A: No, We do not accept manuscripts after the submission window is closed.
• Q: How do I stay updated about submission windows or announcements?
  A: Announcements are regularly updated on the journal’s website.
• Q: Do you provide a certificate or hard copy for authors after publication?
  A: No, certificates are not routinely provided. However, the editorial board may consider such requests on a case-by-case basis.
• Q: I need my paper to be published in a backdated issue. Can you accommodate this?
  A: No, the journal does not accommodate requests to publish papers in backdated issues. This practice is considered unethical and goes against the principles of transparency and integrity upheld by the journal. All articles are published in the issue corresponding to their acceptance date following the peer review process. Adhering to this policy ensures the credibility of the journal and maintains its commitment to ethical publishing standards.
• Q: Why are my mails not answered?
  A: The journal strives to respond to all queries promptly. However, delays may occur due to a large volume of emails being receieved by Journal office. We recommend checking the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section on our website, as most common queries are addressed there. Additionally, please note that requests for publication based on personal or professional considerations are not encouraged, as the journal's decisions are guided by the quality and relevance of the manuscript.