Review Process

REVIEW PROCESS

Overview

All submissions to the MEF Journal of International Politics (MJIP) undergo an editorial review process designed to ensure academic quality, originality, clarity, and relevance to the journal’s scope.

MJIP is a student-led undergraduate journal operating with academic supervision. Submissions are evaluated by the Editorial Board and may be reviewed with support from the Academic Advisor or Academic Council where necessary.

Review Stages

1. Administrative Screening

After submission, manuscripts are first checked for basic eligibility and formatting requirements.

This stage includes checking whether:

• The author is an undergraduate student.

• The manuscript falls within MJIP’s scope.

• The submission type is clearly identified.

• The manuscript follows the required word limit.

• The file is submitted in Microsoft Word format.

• The manuscript follows basic formatting requirements.

• The author biography and contact information are included.

Submissions that do not meet basic requirements may be returned to the author for correction or rejected at this stage.

2. Editorial Screening

The Editorial Board evaluates the academic and analytical suitability of the manuscript.

Editors consider whether:

• The research question or central argument is clear.

• The manuscript engages with relevant literature.

• The structure is coherent and logical.

• The claims are supported with evidence.

• The methodology is appropriate, where applicable.

• The manuscript contributes to debates in political science, international relations, economics, or related fields.

• The writing is clear and academically appropriate.

3. Academic Supervision and Further Review

Where necessary, submissions may be reviewed with support from the Academic Advisor or members of the Academic Council.

At this stage, the following aspects are considered:

• Academic quality

• Methodological clarity

• Theoretical consistency

• Citation practices

• Ethical issues

• Suitability for publication

4. Editorial Decision

Following review, authors may receive one of the following decisions:

• Accept

• Accept with minor revisions

• Revise and resubmit

• Reject with feedback

• Desk reject

The Editorial Board may request revisions before making a final publication decision.

5. Revision

If revisions are requested, authors are expected to submit a revised manuscript by the deadline provided by the Editorial Board.

Authors may also be asked to include a short response note explaining how they addressed the editorial comments.

6. Copyediting and Formatting

Accepted manuscripts undergo copyediting and formatting before publication.

This stage includes:

• Grammar and spelling review

• APA 7th edition citation check

• Reference list check

• Formatting consistency

• Heading and title style review

• Figure and table formatting

• Final layout preparation

7. Final Proof

Before publication, authors may be asked to review the final proof of their manuscript.

Final proof review is intended to correct minor typographical or formatting errors. Substantial changes are not normally accepted at this stage.

Expected Timeline

The typical review period is 2–4 weeks, depending on the number of submissions and the extent of revisions required.

Revision periods may take an additional 1–2 weeks.

PUBLICATION ETHICS

Originality

All submissions to MJIP must be original, unpublished, and not under review elsewhere.

Authors are responsible for ensuring that their manuscripts do not include plagiarized, misleading, fabricated, or improperly cited material.

Plagiarism

MJIP takes the issue of plagiarism seriously. All submitted articles are subject to a plagiarism check.

Articles containing significant similarity issues, uncredited material, or improper citation practices will be rejected.

Citation Integrity

Authors must ensure that all sources are accurately cited according to APA 7th edition style.

All in-text citations must correspond to entries in the reference list, and all reference list entries must be cited in the text.

Use of AI-Assisted Tools

Authors may use AI-assisted tools for language editing, brainstorming, outlining, or formatting support.

However, authors remain fully responsible for the originality, accuracy, argumentation, citations, and academic integrity of their work. AI-generated content must not replace original academic analysis.

Any substantial use of AI-assisted tools should be disclosed to the Editorial Board at the time of submission.

Conflict of Interest

Editors must not evaluate submissions where a personal, academic, or institutional conflict of interest exists.

If a conflict of interest arises, the relevant editor should inform the Editor-in-Chief and withdraw from the evaluation process.

Editorial Responsibility

The Editorial Board is responsible for evaluating submissions fairly, consistently, and in accordance with MJIP’s academic standards.

Editorial decisions are based on the manuscript’s relevance, originality, clarity, academic quality, and suitability for publication.

Author Responsibility

Authors are responsible for:

• Submitting original and accurate work

• Properly citing all sources

• Responding to revision requests in a timely manner

• Disclosing conflicts of interest, if any

• Disclosing substantial AI-assisted writing or editing, if applicable

• Ensuring that the manuscript is not under review elsewhere