Peer Review Process

The ANDD Paper Series follows a rigorous, transparent, and independent editorial process to ensure the publication of high-quality research relevant to development policy and practice. Editorial decisions are based solely on scholarly merit, methodological rigor, originality, and policy relevance.

  1. Initial Screening

All submissions undergo an initial review by the Editorial Office and/or the Editorial or Scientific Committee. Manuscripts are assessed for relevance to the journal's thematic focus, alignment with its scope, originality, and overall scholarly quality. Submissions that successfully pass this stage are invited for full paper submission.

  1. Peer Review

All eligible manuscripts undergo a double-blind peer review process involving at least two independent reviewers with relevant subject expertise. Reviewers evaluate submissions based on academic quality, methodological soundness, originality, clarity, and contribution to research, policy, and practice.

Authors may be invited to participate in a Paper Development Workshop (PDW), conducted either in person or online. The workshop provides developmental feedback to strengthen manuscripts but does not replace or influence the formal peer review process.

  1. Revisions and Editorial Decisions

Authors are requested to revise their manuscripts in response to reviewer feedback and submit a detailed response explaining how comments have been addressed. Revised manuscripts may be reviewed further by the editorial team and, where necessary, by the original reviewers.

Final decisions regarding acceptance, revision, or rejection are made independently by the editorial team based on the manuscript's scholarly merit, methodological rigor, and policy relevance.

  1. Production and Publication

Accepted manuscripts are transferred to Qatar University Press (QU Press) for production and publication. This stage includes language editing, formatting, reference verification, DOI and link validation, and metadata review. Authors may be required to address final technical or formatting requirements or revision before publication.

  1. Manuscript Evaluation Criteria

Manuscripts are evaluated on the basis of:

  • Relevance to the journal's thematic focus and the Arab region.
  • Originality and contribution to knowledge.
  • Quality, clarity, and coherence of academic writing.
  • Methodological rigor and appropriateness of research design.
  • Significance for policy, research, and practice.
  • Innovation and potential impact on development outcomes.
  • Strength of evidence, conclusions, and recommendations.
  • Feasibility, scalability, and potential for implementation in policy and practice.
  1. Confidentiality

All manuscripts and review materials are treated as confidential. They must not be shared, discussed, or disclosed to third parties without authorization from the Editorial Office. Information obtained through the review process must not be used for personal or professional advantage.

  1. Objectivity and Conflict of Interest

Reviewers are expected to provide objective, constructive, and evidence-based assessments. Personal criticism of authors is not permitted.

Reviewers and editors must disclose any actual, potential, or perceived conflict of interest that could affect their judgment. Individuals with personal, professional, institutional, or financial relationships that may compromise objectivity must not participate in the review or decision-making process.

  1. Editorial Independence and Governance

The ANDD Paper Series maintains a clear separation between network governance and editorial decision-making.

  • Editor-in-Chief: Responsible for editorial decisions and publication standards.
  • Editorial Board: Provides scientific guidance and peer review oversight.
  • ANDD Network Leadership: Serves in an advisory capacity only.

All editorial decisions are made independently and are not influenced by partner institutions, sponsors, or funding bodies. The journal is committed to maintaining a diverse and internationally representative Editorial Board in line with international publishing standards.