Peer Review in Tsaqafah (double blind - after Editorial Assesment)

Peer review is a foundational element of academic publishing, ensuring that every article published in Tsaqafah: Jurnal Peradaban Islam meets the highest standards of scholarly rigor, accuracy, and relevance. In disciplines such as Islamic history, cultural studies, intellectual traditions, and the wider field of civilization studies, peer review is especially crucial because interpretations of texts, historical events, and cultural developments require deep expertise. Reviewers play an indispensable role by evaluating the soundness of the research, the accuracy of historical claims, the proper use of primary sources, and the validity of theoretical and interpretive approaches. Since no editor can be an expert in all subfields within Islamic studies, reviewers’ assessments guide editorial decisions and contribute significantly to maintaining the journal’s academic quality. The process also benefits authors by offering constructive feedback that helps them refine arguments, strengthen analyses, and align their work with ongoing scholarly conversations. For Tsaqafah, peer review is not only a mechanism of quality assurance but a collaborative scholarly exchange that advances the study of Islamic civilization.

The peer review process in Tsaqafah begins when an author submits a manuscript through the journal’s submission platform. At this initial stage, the editorial team evaluates whether the manuscript aligns with the journal’s thematic focus on Islamic civilization and history. Editors examine whether the submission follows the formatting and citation guidelines, adheres to ethical standards, and presents a topic relevant to Islamic studies. Manuscripts lacking originality, clarity, or relevance may be rejected before entering the review stage. If the submission is deemed suitable, the editor selects at least two independent reviewers who have demonstrated expertise in the manuscript’s subject area, such as Islamic law, socio-cultural history, Islamic intellectual thought, or regional Islamic developments. Reviewers invited to conduct the evaluation are expected to maintain strict confidentiality. If a reviewer cannot accept an invitation, they should recommend appropriate experts directly to the editor instead of forwarding the manuscript, thus preserving the integrity of the process.

Evaluation - Once reviewers accept the invitation, they carefully read the manuscript, often multiple times, to develop a thorough, balanced, and constructive assessment. They evaluate the originality of the work, the quality and accuracy of its sources, the methodological soundness, the clarity and coherence of the argumentation, and its contribution to scholarly discussions within Islamic studies. Reviewers are expected to assess whether the author’s interpretations of classical texts, historical narratives, or cultural phenomena are accurate and supported by evidence. They should also consider whether the manuscript uses appropriate analytical frameworks and whether its conclusions logically follow from the presented data or argument. Reviewers then prepare a detailed report that includes a summary of the manuscript, an evaluation of its strengths, identification of weaknesses, and specific recommendations for improvement. They also provide an overall recommendation such as acceptance, minor revision, major revision, or rejection.

After receiving the reviewers’ reports, the editor synthesizes their evaluations to make a final decision. If the reviewers’ assessments differ widely, the editor may consult an additional reviewer to obtain a more balanced perspective. Authors are then provided with anonymized reviewer comments along with the editorial decision. Reviewers are also informed of the outcome and may be asked to evaluate revised versions if substantial revisions are required. This iterative process ensures that manuscripts published in Tsaqafah represent well-developed, evidence-based, and carefully argued contributions to the field.

When conducting a review, it is important for reviewers to familiarize themselves with Tsaqafah’s scope and scholarly orientation, which encompasses Islamic history, intellectual traditions, civilization studies, cultural developments, comparative analyses, and the intersection of Islamic thought with historical processes. Reviewers should examine the manuscript holistically, ensuring that the research questions are clearly defined, that the topic is relevant, and that the argument engages meaningfully with established and contemporary scholarship. They should carefully consider whether the methodology—whether historical, textual, philosophical, or interpretive—is appropriate for addressing the research questions. Because Islamic studies often rely on classical Arabic sources, manuscripts should be assessed for accuracy in translation, correct citation of primary texts, and fidelity to historical contexts.

Report - Reviewers should write their reports in a balanced, respectful tone, focusing on the quality of the research rather than on the author. A good report begins with a concise summary demonstrating comprehension of the manuscript’s aims and findings. The reviewer should then highlight the strengths of the work, such as its originality, effective use of sources, valuable contribution to ongoing debates, or clarity of writing. Constructive criticism should be precise and actionable, helping authors identify weaknesses in their argumentation, methodological gaps, unclear sections, or areas requiring deeper contextualization. For example, reviewers may suggest strengthening the theoretical framework, expanding the literature review, improving the translation of Arabic quotations, or revising historically inaccurate claims. Reviewers should avoid vague statements and ensure their comments are suitable for sharing with the author. If reviewers detect potential ethical concerns such as misrepresentation of sources, plagiarism, inaccurate historical claims, or culturally insensitive interpretations, they should notify the editor promptly and confidentially.

Recommendations at the end of the review help guide the editor’s decision. A recommendation to accept indicates that the manuscript meets the journal’s scholarly standards and requires no further modification. A minor revision recommendation suggests that the manuscript is strong but needs modest adjustments, such as additional citations, clarification of arguments, or stylistic improvements. A major revision recommendation is appropriate when substantial changes are necessary—for example, revising the theoretical framework, strengthening historical analysis, correcting flawed interpretations, or restructuring the manuscript. A recommendation to reject is appropriate when a manuscript does not meet the journal’s standards or is unsuitable for publication due to major methodological or conceptual problems. Whatever the decision, reviewers should provide clear, scholarly reasoning for their recommendation.

Technical Aspect (filling evaluation form) - In evaluating manuscripts for Tsaqafah, reviewers should consider several key elements. Titles should be accurate, concise, and reflective of the manuscript’s content while incorporating relevant keywords that enhance discoverability. Abstracts should summarize the objectives, methods, arguments, and conclusions without exaggeration or unnecessary details. Introductions should contextualize the research within existing scholarship, clearly outline research questions, and articulate the manuscript’s contribution to the field. Methods or approaches should be appropriate for historical, textual, or cultural analysis and should be clearly explained. Findings should be logically presented and supported by evidence from primary and secondary sources. Discussions and conclusions should interpret results effectively, relate them to broader scholarly debates, and acknowledge any limitations. Figures, tables, and primary texts must be properly contextualized, accurately reproduced, and ethically presented. References should reflect a solid engagement with both classical Islamic sources and contemporary scholarship, avoiding inappropriate or insufficient citations.