Article Reviewer Policy

Article Reviewer Policy

  1. Scope and Purpose

The reviewer policy of The Nation State: Journal of National Security and Geopolitics defines the standards and procedures by which submitted manuscripts are evaluated. The aim is to ensure fair, timely, and rigorous peer review that upholds the highest scholarly and ethical standards.

  1. Reviewer Selection

Reviewers are selected based on:

  • Expertise in the manuscript’s subject area (national security, geopolitics, strategic studies, international law, etc.).
  • Absence of conflicts of interest (personal, financial, or institutional).
  • Demonstrated record of scholarship, published research, or professional experience.
  1. Confidentiality

All manuscript materials are strictly confidential. Reviewers must not:

  • Share, copy, or discuss any part of a manuscript with third parties.
  • Use knowledge gained from the manuscript for personal advantage prior to publication.
  1. Conflict of Interest

Reviewers must disclose any potential conflict of interest—such as close collaboration, shared funding sources, or personal relationships with authors—and recuse themselves if impartial review cannot be ensured.

  1. Review Criteria

Reviewers are asked to evaluate:

  1. Originality and Significance – Contribution to theory, practice, or policy in national security and geopolitics.
  2. Methodological Rigor – Appropriateness and transparency of research design, data sources, and analytical methods.
  3. Clarity and Organization – Coherence of argument, logical structure, and quality of writing.
  4. Evidence and Citation – Adequacy of supporting evidence, proper citation, and adherence to ethical standards (including plagiarism and AI disclosure).
  5. Relevance and Impact – Potential influence on scholarly debate, policy formulation, or strategic practice.
  6. Review Report

Reviewers submit structured reports comprising:

  • Summary of Manuscript – Brief overview of objectives and findings.
  • Major Strengths – Key contributions and methodological merits.
  • Major Weaknesses – Critical flaws or gaps needing revision.
  • Minor Comments – Language, formatting, or citation issues.
  • Recommendation – Accept, accept with minor revisions, invite major revisions, or reject.
  1. Timeliness

Reviewers agree to deliver their reports within four weeks of acceptance of a review invitation. If more time is required, they must notify the Editorial Office promptly.

  1. Recognition

The journal acknowledges reviewers’ contributions by publishing an annual list of reviewers and offering certificates of service upon request.

Editorial Policy

  1. Editorial Mission

The Editorial Board of The Nation State is committed to advancing rigorous scholarship on national security and geopolitics. Editors oversee the integrity, quality, and strategic direction of the journal.

  1. Editorial Structure
  • Editor-in-Chief: Provides overall leadership, final decisions on manuscripts, and strategic vision.
  • Associate Editors: Manage submissions in their areas of expertise, coordinate peer review, and make recommendations to the Editor-in-Chief.
  • Editorial Board: Advises on policy, recommends reviewers, and supports journal promotion.
  1. Editorial Responsibilities
  2. Fair Decision-Making – Ensure impartial evaluation of all manuscripts based solely on scholarly merit.
  3. Ethical Oversight – Enforce policies on plagiarism, authorship, AI use, data integrity, and conflicts of interest.
  4. Confidentiality – Maintain strict confidentiality of submissions and review processes.
  5. Transparency – Provide clear guidance on submission decisions and appeals procedures.
  6. Timeliness – Strive to complete initial editorial screening within two weeks and communicate decisions promptly.
  7. Conflict of Interest

Editors must disclose any conflicts with authors or subject matter and recuse themselves when impartial handling cannot be guaranteed. Substitute handling editors will be appointed as needed.

  1. Appeals and Complaints

Authors may appeal editorial decisions by submitting a written request with supporting arguments. Appeals are reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief or an impartial Editorial Board member. Complaints regarding ethical breaches or editorial misconduct are handled according to COPE guidelines.

  1. Post-Publication Corrections

Corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions may be issued for published articles in cases of significant error or ethical violation. Such actions follow best practices as recommended by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

  1. Editorial Independence

Editorial decisions are independent of commercial or institutional influences. The journal’s ownership, funding sources, and sponsors do not affect the selection or evaluation of manuscripts.

Adherence to these policies ensures that The Nation State: Journal of National Security and Geopolitics maintains transparency, academic rigor, and ethical integrity throughout its editorial and peer review processes.