The Eurasian Journal of Soil Science (EJSS) follows a rigorous double-blind peer review process to ensure the scientific validity, originality, and quality of the research it publishes. The peer review system is fundamental to maintaining high academic standards and ensuring that the journal contributes meaningfully to the field of soil science, plant-soil interactions, and environmental sustainability. This process is designed to enhance the accuracy, clarity, and credibility of published research while maintaining the integrity and ethical standards of academic publishing.

Initial Submission and Editorial Screening

Upon submission, all manuscripts undergo a preliminary evaluation by the Editorial Board to ensure they comply with the journal’s aims, scope, and formatting guidelines. The initial screening focuses on evaluating whether the submission meets the required scientific quality and structure, ensuring that it adheres to ethical publishing principles and contributes to the advancement of soil science. At this stage, the editorial team also assesses the language, clarity, and overall structure of the manuscript to determine if it is suitable for review or requires revision before peer evaluation.

In addition to structural and thematic evaluations, all submitted manuscripts undergo a plagiarism and similarity check using iThenticate and Turnitin software. The journal has strict policies regarding text similarity and originality. The total similarity index must not exceed 15%, and similarity from a single source must be no more than 5%. If a manuscript exceeds these thresholds, authors are requested to revise their manuscript before further processing. In cases of suspected plagiarism or research misconduct, the submission may be rejected outright, and the author’s institution may be notified if necessary. Manuscripts that fail to meet the journal’s fundamental scientific and ethical standards are either rejected or returned to authors for substantial revision before being considered for peer review.

Assignment of Reviewers

Once a manuscript successfully passes the editorial screening, it is assigned to at least three independent reviewers who are subject-matter experts in the relevant field of study. The Editorial Board is responsible for selecting these reviewers based on their research expertise, publication history, and experience in the subject matter. To maintain fairness and objectivity, the journal ensures that reviewers:

• Are not part of the journal’s editorial team or directly affiliated with the authors.
• Have significant expertise in the manuscript’s subject area and research methodology.
• Have no conflicts of interest with the authors, funding bodies, or affiliated institutions.
• Are experienced in peer reviewing and can provide constructive feedback.

In cases where a manuscript contains complex statistical analyses, an additional statistical reviewer may be consulted to evaluate the appropriateness and accuracy of the methods used. The journal also actively avoids relying solely on author-recommended reviewers, unless their credentials can be independently verified. Reviewers with a recent co-authorship (within 10 years) or institutional affiliation with the authors are excluded from consideration to prevent potential biases.

Double-Blind Peer Review Process

The Eurasian Journal of Soil Science follows a double-blind review process, meaning that the identities of both the authors and the reviewers remain confidential throughout the review. This ensures impartial evaluations and eliminates any potential biases based on the identity, institutional affiliation, or reputation of the authors.

Reviewers assess the manuscript based on several critical criteria, including:

• Scientific novelty and originality – whether the study presents new findings or innovative perspectives.
• Research design and methodology – the appropriateness, rigor, and reproducibility of methods.
• Data accuracy and analysis – whether the results are supported by appropriate statistical and experimental analysis.
• Clarity and structure – the coherence, organization, and readability of the manuscript.
• Relevance to soil science – whether the research contributes to the advancement of soil science, environmental applications, or agricultural practices.
• Adherence to ethical standards – ensuring appropriate citations, authorship, and research ethics.

Reviewers are expected to provide detailed and constructive feedback to help improve the manuscript, even if they recommend rejection. Their comments should be professional, focused on the content rather than the authors, and should offer specific suggestions for improving the study.

Editorial Decision and Revision Process

After the peer review process is completed, the Editorial Board evaluates all reviewer reports and makes one of the following decisions:

• Accept as is – the manuscript is ready for publication with no further changes.
• Minor revisions required – the authors need to make small improvements before acceptance.
• Major revisions required – the authors must significantly revise their manuscript based on reviewer feedback. A re-evaluation by reviewers may be required.
• Reject with the possibility of resubmission – the manuscript is not suitable in its current form but may be reconsidered if substantial improvements are made.
• Reject outright – the manuscript does not meet the journal’s standards and will not be reconsidered.

If revisions are required, the authors must submit a detailed response letter addressing each reviewer comment. Revised manuscripts are re-evaluated by the Editorial Board, and in cases of major revisions, they may be sent back to the original reviewers for reassessment. If reviewer opinions are highly conflicting, additional experts may be consulted before making a final decision.

Ethical Considerations and Fraud Prevention

The Eurasian Journal of Soil Science strictly opposes peer review manipulation, including fraudulent peer review practices, falsified reviewer identities, and biased evaluations. Editors take necessary precautions to prevent unethical practices, such as:

• Verifying reviewer credentials and email addresses from independent sources (e.g., institutional affiliations, prior publications).
• Avoiding the use of personal email accounts (such as Gmail or Yahoo) unless an institutional affiliation is confirmed.
• Investigating suspected cases of fraudulent peer review recommendations or conflicts of interest.
• Rejecting reviewer suggestions made by authors if they cannot be independently validated.

If any misconduct is detected, the manuscript may be immediately rejected, and the author’s institution may be notified if deemed necessary.

Transparency and Accountability in the Peer Review Process

To maintain transparency and credibility, the journal publishes its peer review policies and adheres to strict ethical publishing standards. The journal also maintains records of manuscript submission rates, acceptance rates, average review durations, and time to publication, which may be provided to concerned authorities upon request. Additionally, all editors, reviewers, and authors are required to disclose any conflicts of interest that could compromise the peer review process.

The Eurasian Journal of Soil Science is committed to ensuring a fair, ethical, and high-quality peer review system that upholds the principles of scientific integrity, transparency, and excellence in research publication. Through a rigorous and unbiased peer review process, the journal continues to foster the advancement of soil science and environmental research on a global scale.