Peer Review Process

All manuscripts submitted to Z-Conomics: Journal on Islamic Economics, Finance, and Banking undergo a rigorous double-blind peer review process to ensure the highest standards of academic quality and integrity. The review process is designed to provide authors with constructive feedback while assisting editors in making fair and timely publication decisions.

1. Initial Screening (Desk Review)

Upon submission, each manuscript is first evaluated by the Editor-in-Chief or designated editorial staff to assess:

  • Scope relevance to Islamic economics, finance, and banking

  • Originality and potential scholarly contribution

  • Clarity of language and adherence to submission guidelines

  • Compliance with ethical and academic standards

Manuscripts that do not meet these basic criteria will be returned to the authors without further review.

2. Double-Blind Peer Review

Manuscripts that pass the initial screening are assigned to at least two independent reviewers with relevant expertise. The double-blind review process ensures that:

  • The identity of the authors is concealed from the reviewers

  • The identity of the reviewers is concealed from the authors

Reviewers evaluate the manuscript based on:

  • Originality and significance of the research

  • Methodological soundness

  • Theoretical framework and literature review

  • Data quality and analysis

  • Clarity, coherence, and structure

  • Relevance to the scope of the journal

3. Review Outcomes

Based on the reviewers' recommendations, the editorial decision may be:

  • Accept without revision

  • Accept with minor revision

  • Revise and resubmit (major revision)

  • Reject

Authors will be notified of the decision along with anonymized reviewer comments. For revisions, authors must clearly highlight the changes made and provide a detailed response to reviewers’ comments.

4. Editorial Decision

The final decision on manuscript acceptance is made by the Editor-in-Chief in consultation with the editorial board (if needed), based on reviewer recommendations and alignment with the journal’s objectives.

5. Turnaround Time

Z-Conomics is committed to timely peer review. The typical timeline from submission to first decision is 4–6 weeks, though this may vary depending on reviewer availability and complexity of revisions.

6. Ethical Oversight

The peer review process adheres strictly to the COPE Ethical Guidelines for Peer Reviewers to maintain fairness, transparency, and confidentiality throughout.