Reviewer Form

Thank you for reviewing for the International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies (IJCSS). Your review helps us maintain scientific quality, fairness, and research integrity.

Confidentiality & Double-Blind Review

IJCSS uses double-blind peer review. Please:

  • do not reveal your identity to the authors,

  • do not share or discuss the manuscript outside the editorial team,

  • treat all manuscript content as confidential.

Conflicts of Interest

Please decline the review or inform the editor if you have a conflict of interest (e.g., recent collaboration, same institution, personal/financial ties).

Ethics & Misconduct

If you notice possible plagiarism, duplicate publication, fabricated data, unethical research, or other concerns, report it in Confidential Comments to the Editor.

How to Review

Provide objective, evidence-based, and respectful comments.
Focus on helping authors improve the manuscript: explain what is wrong and suggest how to fix it.

Key Evaluation Criteria

Assess the manuscript based on:

  • Originality / contribution to contemporary security studies

  • Methods / rigor (design, data, analysis)

  • Clarity / structure (logic, readability)

  • Quality of results and conclusions (are conclusions supported?)

  • Ethical compliance (if applicable)

Recommendation

Select one:

  • Accept

  • Minor revision

  • Major revision

  • Reject

IJCSS – Review Form (Simple)

Manuscript ID: ________ Title: ___________________________

1) Overall Recommendation (choose one)

☐ Accept
☐ Minor revision
☐ Major revision
☐ Reject

2) Short Summary (2–3 sentences)

What is the manuscript about and what is your overall view?

3) Major Comments (most important issues to address)

4) Minor Comments (language, clarity, formatting, references)

5) Basic Checklist (tick as needed)

☐ Originality / contribution is sufficient
☐ Methods are appropriate and clearly described
☐ Results are clear and conclusions are supported
☐ References are relevant and up to date
☐ Tables/figures are clear (if applicable)
☐ Ethical issues identified (explain to editor)

6) English Language (choose one)

☐ Extensive editing required
☐ Moderate editing required
☐ Minor edits only
☐ Not qualified to judge

7) Confidential Comments to the Editor (optional)

(ethical concerns, suspected plagiarism, COI, serious flaws)

Reviewer Declaration:
☐ I confirm confidentiality and an objective review.
☐ I declare no conflict of interest (or I informed the editor).