Peer-Review Processes

  1. Introduction
    The “Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics” aims to uphold the highest standards of scientific publishing. The cornerstone of this commitment is a rigorous peer review process designed to ensure the quality, accuracy, originality, significance, and clarity of the articles we publish. This policy defines the peer review model of the “Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics,” the roles and responsibilities of all participants, and the procedures used. The journal employs a double-blind peer review model, where the identities of authors and reviewers are not disclosed to each other throughout the review process. This approach is aimed at ensuring impartiality and objectivity in the evaluation of manuscripts. We adhere to the guidelines and best practices set by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

  2. Description

  • Peer Review: A critical evaluation of manuscripts submitted to the journal by experts in the relevant field who are not members of the editorial board. Its main purpose is to provide editors with the information needed to make an informed decision regarding publication and to help authors improve their work.

  • Double-Blind Review: In this model, the “Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics” ensures that:

    • Authors do not know the identities of their reviewers.

    • Reviewers do not know the identities of the authors. This method is used to minimize potential bias related to factors such as the author’s reputation, affiliation, nationality, or gender, allowing the manuscript to be assessed solely based on its scientific merit.

  • Role of Reviewers: To provide expert, constructive, and impartial feedback regarding the scientific content and presentation of the manuscript.

  • Role of Editors: To manage the peer review process, select appropriate reviewers (including checking any suggestions made by the authors), assess the reviewers' feedback, and make final editorial decisions.

  1. Policy

  • Review Requirements: All scientific papers submitted to the “Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics,” including research articles, technical and conceptual reports, and practical research reports, undergo a strict double-blind peer review procedure before a publication decision is made. Some types of materials, such as editorial articles, invited commentaries, or book reviews, may undergo a different editorial evaluation procedure, which will be communicated separately.

  • Review Model: The “Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics” exclusively uses the double-blind review model for all submissions that meet the requirements.

  • Reviewer Selection:

    • Reviewers are selected by the handling editor based on their established expertise in the subject area of the manuscript, their scientific reputation, their availability, and their ability to provide an objective, critical, and constructive assessment.

    • Reviewers must declare any potential conflicts of interest with the authors or the research before agreeing to review, and must recuse themselves if there is a significant conflict of interest.

    • The “Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics” typically strives to obtain at least two independent review reports for each manuscript undergoing full review.

    • Suggested Reviewers by Authors: The “Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics” allows authors to suggest potential reviewers for their manuscript during submission. While suggestions are welcomed, the final decision on selecting reviewers is made solely by the editor, who verifies the suitability and qualifications of any suggested reviewer and ensures there is no conflict of interest. Suggested reviewers will be considered alongside those selected by the editor.

      • Conditions for suggested reviewers: If authors choose to suggest reviewers, the following conditions apply:

        • A maximum of five (5) names may be proposed.

        • At least two-thirds (⅔) of the suggested reviewers (e.g., at least 3 or 4 out of 5) must be citizens of Uzbekistan or researchers affiliated with institutions outside of Uzbekistan.

        • Potential reviewers must have a Scopus ID with a minimum Hirsch index of 5.

        • They must have recent publications in journals indexed by Scopus or Web of Science (WoS), with relevant publications over the last three years.

        • Suggested reviewers must be willing to volunteer their time, as the “Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics” does not offer compensation for review services.

        • They must consent to having their name published on the “Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics” website (e.g., in the annual list of reviewers) if the journal implements such a practice.

        • Authors must provide the full name, current affiliation, and official email address of each proposed reviewer. Personal email addresses (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo) are not accepted for official review correspondence.

        • Proposed reviewers should not have close professional or personal relationships with the authors that could lead to biased reviews.

  • Confidentiality in Peer Review:

    • All materials related to the manuscript, including the manuscript itself, the reviewers’ reports, and all associated correspondence, are treated as strictly confidential by the editors, reviewers, and journal staff.

    • Reviewers should not disclose any information about the manuscript or its review to third parties without prior permission from the journal.

    • Information obtained during the review process should not be used by the reviewer for personal purposes or to harm or discredit others.

  • Objectivity, Constructiveness, and Timeliness:

    • Reviewers must conduct their reviews objectively and provide unbiased, specific, and constructive feedback aimed at improving the manuscript.

    • All comments should be professional and polite, focusing on the scientific content rather than containing personal criticism of the authors.

    • Reviewers must complete their reviews within the deadlines set by the journal to ensure timely feedback to the authors.

  • Copyright of Review Reports:

    • Reviewers submitting their review reports to the “Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics” retain the copyright of their review reports.

    • The “Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics” will treat review reports as confidential information. Anonymous review reports will be provided to the authors of the manuscript. The “Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics” will not publish review reports or disclose the reviewers’ identities to the authors or third parties without the direct consent of the respective reviewers, except as required by law or in the case of an investigation of misconduct.

  • Editorial Decision Acceptance:

    • The final decision regarding the publication of the manuscript (acceptance, rejection, or request for revision) is made by the editor-in-chief or the designated handling editor.

    • This decision is made based on the evaluation of the review reports, the editor’s own assessment of the quality of the manuscript, its alignment with the “Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics”’s scope, and its compliance with the journal’s ethical standards.

    • Editorial decisions are made independently and are based solely on the scientific value of the work.

  • Appeal Process:

    • Authors have the right to appeal editorial decisions if they believe there has been a significant misunderstanding, procedural flaw, or evidence of bias in the review process, as outlined in the “Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics” Complaints and Appeals Policy.

  • Guidelines and Ethical Expectations for Reviewers:

    • The “Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics” provides clear instructions to its reviewers regarding their role, responsibilities, review process, and ethical expectations, based on the COPE Ethical Guidelines for Reviewers.

    • Reviewers must adhere to these ethical standards, including maintaining confidentiality, declaring conflicts of interest, and reporting any suspected misconduct.

  • Managing the Review Process:

    • The “Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics” uses a reliable online editorial management system to ensure an efficient, fair, and transparent review process. This system helps track the progress of the manuscript, manage reviewer assignments, and maintain records.

  1. Technical Aspects of Policy Implementation and Materialization

  • Preparation of Manuscripts for Double-Blind Review:

    • Authors are responsible for preparing their manuscripts in such a way that their identities are not revealed to the reviewers. Specific instructions include:

      • Providing a separate title page with authors’ names, affiliations, contact information, and any acknowledgments. This page is not sent to reviewers.

      • Ensuring the main manuscript file (including figures, tables, and supplementary materials intended for review) is anonymized. This means removing all author names, affiliations, and any direct references to previous works by the authors if they are self-identifying (e.g., using third-person phrasing, such as “Previous studies showed [citation]” instead of “Our previous work showed [citation]”).

      • Removing identifying information from the properties of the electronic file.

    • The “Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics” provides detailed instructions for authors on how to anonymize their manuscripts in the “Guidelines for Authors” and “Manuscript Preparation Guidelines.”

  • Reviewer Anonymity:

    • The journal’s editorial management system is configured to ensure that reviewers’ identities are not revealed to authors.

    • Reviewers are explicitly instructed not to include any information in their review reports or comments to authors that could disclose their identity.

  • Inviting and Processing Author Suggestions:

    • Potential reviewers are invited by the responsible editor based on their expertise. The invitation includes a manuscript abstract and clear instructions, including the review submission deadline.

    • Reviewers must assess any potential conflicts of interest before accepting the invitation and must decline if there is a significant conflict of interest.

    • If authors suggest reviewers in the cover letter or through the submission system, the handling editor evaluates these suggestions. Suggested reviewers will be assessed based on the “Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics” criteria (competence, Hirsch index, publication history, institutional email address, absence of conflicts of interest with the authors, etc.). The editor may or may not use the suggested reviewers and is not obligated to explain the reasons for their decision. The editor will also identify and invite other reviewers independently.

  • Conducting and Submitting Reviews:

    • Reviewers are provided with recommendations and generally a structured review form to facilitate their assessment. They evaluate the manuscript on criteria such as originality, significance, contribution, methodological soundness, clarity of presentation, and adherence to ethical standards.

    • Reviews should include specific comments and suggestions to help the authors improve the manuscript, as well as confidential comments for the editor that will assist in the decision-making process.

    • Reviewers are encouraged to report any ethical issues to the editor, such as plagiarism, data falsification/manipulation, or redundant publication.

    • All review reports must be submitted through the journal’s online editorial system within the agreed timeframe.

  • Editorial Decision Communication:

    • The editor-in-chief carefully considers all review reports (and may request additional reviews if necessary) before making an editorial decision.

    • Authors are provided with anonymous reviewer comments and a decision letter explaining the rationale for the editorial decision.

  • Manuscript Revisions:

    • If revisions are required, authors must respond thoroughly and systematically to all reviewer and editor comments. A detailed response to the comments should accompany the resubmitted manuscript.

    • Revised manuscripts may be sent back to the original reviewers for further evaluation or assessed by the editor depending on the extent of the changes made.

  • Ethical Commitments of Reviewers: The “Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics” expects all reviewers to adhere to high ethical standards, including:

    • Confidentiality: Treat the manuscript and review process as confidential.

    • Objectivity: Provide impartial and unbiased reviews.

    • Expertise: Agree to review only manuscripts within their area of expertise.

    • Timeliness: Submit reviews within the agreed timeframe.

    • Constructiveness: Provide constructive feedback to help authors improve their work.

    • Non-use: Do not use manuscript information for personal or third-party purposes.

    • Conflict Disclosure: Declare any conflicts of interest.

    • Reporting Problems: Report any ethical issues related to the manuscript or review process to the editor.

    • No Delegation: Do not delegate the review to someone else without prior permission from the journal.

  • Recognition of Reviewers:

    • The “Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics” values the critical contributions of its reviewers. While anonymity is maintained in double-blind selection, the journal may publicly acknowledge its reviewers annually (e.g., publishing a list on its website or in a journal issue) with their explicit consent (which reviewers will indicate, including those suggested by authors). The “Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics” may also consider integrating with services that provide official recognition of reviewers’ contributions.

This review process policy aims to ensure the high standard of quality, fairness, and integrity of all articles published in the “Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics.”


ISSN 3093-8686 (Online)