Reviewer Guideline

Responsibilities of Reviewers

Confidentiality: Reviewers must treat all submitted manuscripts as confidential documents. Do not share or discuss the content with others without explicit permission from the Editor, in line with the ethical standards of the Institute for Education (IfE) Malta.

Objectivity: Reviews should be conducted objectively, offering constructive criticism and actionable suggestions for improvement. Personal criticism of the author is inappropriate.

Timeliness: Reviewers are expected to complete their reviews within the agreed timeframe, typically 3-4 weeks. If more time is needed, please inform the Editorial Office promptly.

Conflict of Interest: If a conflict of interest is identified—such as a personal or professional relationship with the author—reviewers should decline the invitation and notify the Editor.

 

Review Criteria

Originality: Assess whether the manuscript provides a new and significant contribution to educational research, in keeping with the aims of the Institute for Education (IfE) Malta.

Clarity and Structure: Evaluate the manuscript’s organization and clarity. Ensure the argument is logical, coherent, and that the research question or hypothesis is clearly defined and addressed.

Methodology: Review the robustness of the research methodology, ensuring the research design, data collection, and analysis are appropriate and rigorously conducted.

Evidence and Argumentation: Ensure that the manuscript is supported by adequate evidence and that the conclusions are substantiated by the data. Consider if alternative interpretations have been adequately addressed.

Referencing: Check that the manuscript properly cites relevant literature using APA 7th edition referencing style, identifying any missing references or citation errors.

 

Review Process

Reviewer Invitation: Reviewers receive an invitation via email, including the manuscript’s title, abstract, and proposed deadline. Upon acceptance, the full manuscript will be accessible through our online review system.

Review Submission: Reviews should be submitted through the online review system and include:

• • A summary of the manuscript's contributions.
  • An evaluation of its strengths and weaknesses.
  • Specific, actionable feedback for improvement.
  • A recommendation regarding publication (e.g., accept, minor revisions, major revisions, reject).

Double-Blind Review: The Malta Journal of Education uses a double-blind review process, meaning that both the authors and reviewers remain anonymous to each other. Reviewers should avoid comments that could reveal their identity.

 

Ethical Guidelines

Plagiarism: Reviewers should be alert to any signs of plagiarism, duplication, or unethical research practices. Any concerns should be immediately reported to the Editor.

Ethical Compliance: For research involving human subjects, reviewers should ensure that ethical guidelines, including informed consent and ethical committee approval, have been followed.

 

Benefits of Reviewing

Contribution to the Field: As a reviewer, you contribute significantly to advancing educational research, aligning with the mission of the Institute for Education (IfE) Malta.

Professional Development: Reviewing offers the opportunity to stay informed about the latest research trends and to develop your own academic expertise.

Recognition: Reviewers are acknowledged by the Malta Journal of Education through certificates of recognition and may be listed on the journal’s website (with consent) annually.