Policy of Transparency & Best Practices
Policy of Transparency and Best Practices
Thoughts Review (TR) is committed to the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and integrity in all aspects of scholarly publishing. This policy outlines the journal's adherence to the Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing, developed jointly by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) , the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) , the Open Access Scholarly Publishing Association (OASPA) , and the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME) . These principles serve as the foundation for ethical and responsible publishing and are a condition for indexing in major databases, including DOAJ and Scopus.
The principles apply to all published content, including special issues and conference proceedings, and acknowledge the journal's responsibility to promote accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusivity in all aspects of publication. Editorial decisions are based solely on scholarly merit and are not affected by the origin of the manuscript, including the nationality, ethnicity, political beliefs, race, or religion of the authors. The journal regularly assesses its policies for inclusivity and ensures that no policies create an exclusionary environment.
1. Journal Name
The journal's name, Thoughts Review, is unique and is not easily confused with another journal. It does not mislead potential authors and readers about the journal's origin, scope, or association with other journals and organizations.
2. Website
The Thoughts Review website (https://www.thoughtsreview.com/index.php/TR) is properly supported and maintained, with attention to security to protect users from viruses and malware. The website uses HTTPS, and all traffic is redirected through HTTPS. The website does not contain information that might mislead readers or authors and does not copy another journal's or publisher's site, design, or logo.
The following information is clearly displayed on the website:
i. Aims and scope: Thoughts Review is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access quarterly research journal (4 issues per year) committed to publishing high-quality, original, and impactful research in Arts & Humanities (Miscellaneous) . The journal publishes original research articles, review papers, and scholarly discussions in Arabic, Urdu, English, Religious Studies, Islamic Studies, Linguistics, Literature, Education, History, Philosophy, Culture, Translation Studies, International Relations, and other related disciplines.
ii. Target readership: Researchers, academicians, professionals, and graduate scholars from around the world.
iii. Types of manuscripts: Original research articles, review papers, and scholarly discussions. Multiple or redundant publication is not allowed.
iv. Authorship criteria: As outlined in the journal's Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement.
v. ISSNs: The journal has a Print ISSN: 3106-9509 and an Electronic ISSN: 3106-9517.
vi. Recognition: The journal is recognized by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan, in the Y Category under Arts & Humanities (Miscellaneous) for the period 1 April 2026 to 31 December 2027.
3. Publishing Schedule
The journal's publishing frequency is clearly described on the website as a quarterly publication (4 issues per year) . Thoughts Review is committed to keeping to its publishing schedule unless exceptional circumstances arise.
4. Archiving
The journal's plan for electronic backup and long-term digital preservation is clearly indicated. This ensures that content remains available in the event that the journal or publisher stops operating.
5. Copyright
The copyright terms for published content are clearly stated on the website and in the content itself. Copyright terms are separate and distinct from the copyright of the website. The copyright holder is named on the full text of all published articles (HTML and PDF). If copyright terms are described in a separate form, this is easy to find on the website and available to all.
6. Licensing
Licensing information is clearly described on the website, and licensing terms are indicated on the full text of all published articles (HTML and PDF). Content designated as Open Access uses an open license. Licensing policies about the posting of author manuscripts and published articles in third-party repositories are clearly stated. Where Creative Commons licenses are used, the terms of that license link to the correct license on the Creative Commons website.
7. Publication Ethics and Related Editorial Policies
Thoughts Review has comprehensive policies on publication ethics that are visible on its website. These policies align with COPE's Core Practices and address the following areas:
1. Authorship and contributor ship: The journal's policy on authorship criteria and contributor ship is published and enforced.
2. Complaints and appeals: The journal has a clear procedure for handling complaints and appeals against editorial decisions.
3. Allegations of research misconduct: The journal has a procedure for handling allegations of misconduct, following COPE guidance.
4. Conflicts of interest: The journal's policy on conflicts of interest applies to authors, reviewers, editors, and board members.
5. Data sharing and reproducibility: The journal encourages data availability and reproducibility where appropriate.
6. Ethical oversight: The journal requires ethical approval for research involving human or animal participants where applicable.
7. Intellectual property: The journal respects intellectual property rights and requires permissions for third-party material.
8. Post-publication discussions: The journal welcomes substantiated post-publication comments and criticism.
9. Corrections and retractions: The journal has a clear policy for issuing corrections, retractions, and expressions of concern.
Editors and the publisher are responsible for ensuring the integrity of the scholarly literature. The journal does not encourage or knowingly allow misconduct, including plagiarism, citation manipulation, and data falsification or fabrication. When allegations of research misconduct are received, the journal follows COPE guidance (or equivalent) in dealing with them.
8. Peer Review
Thoughts Review operates a double-anonymous (double-blind) peer review process, supported by an experienced international Editorial and Advisory Board. The following information about the peer review process is clearly stated on the website:
i. Whether or not content is peer reviewed.
ii. Who conducts the peer review (external experts)?
iii. The type of peer review process used (double-anonymous).
iv. Policies related to peer review procedures, including the use of author-recommended reviewers, masking of identities, whether supplementary material is peer reviewed, and how editorial decisions are ultimately made.
v. Any exceptions to the peer review process, such as specific article types that do not undergo peer review.
The journal does not guarantee acceptance of initial manuscript submissions. Statements of peer review times are supported by published timeframes on accepted papers. In the event of delays, authors are informed of the reason for the delay and given the opportunity to withdraw their manuscript if they wish. The date of publication is published with all published research, and dates of submission and acceptance are also provided where possible.
9. Access
The journal is an open-access publication. Content is freely accessible to all readers without subscription or pay-per-view fees. If any online content is not freely accessible, the method of gaining access is clearly described. If offline versions (for example, print) are available, this is clearly described along with any associated charges.
10. Ownership and Management
Information about the ownership and management of the journal is clearly indicated on the journal's website. Organizational names are not used in a way that could mislead potential authors and editors about the nature of the journal's owner. If the journal is affiliated with a society, institution, or sponsor, links to their website(s) are provided where available.
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11. Advisory Body
The journal has an editorial board whose members are recognised experts in the subject areas stated in the journal's aims and scope. The full names and affiliations of the members are provided on the journal's website. The list is kept up to date, and members have agreed to serve. The journal periodically reviews its board to ensure it remains relevant and appropriate and to avoid association with predatory or deceptive practices.
12. Editorial Team and Contact Information
The journal provides the full names and affiliations of its editors, as well as contact information for the editorial office, including a full mailing address, on the journal's website.
13. Author Fees
If author fees are charged (such as article processing charges, page charges, editorial processing charges, language editing fees, colour charges, submission fees, membership fees, or other supplementary charges), these fees are clearly stated on the website. If there are no such fees, this is clearly stated. Author fee information is easy to find and is presented as early in the submission process as possible.
If the journal is likely to implement author charges in the future, this is stated. If waivers are available for author fees, this information is clearly stated, including who is eligible for a waiver, which author(s) of the group must be eligible for the waiver to apply, and when and how to apply for a waiver.
Author fees or waiver status do not influence editorial decision-making, and this is clearly stated.
14. Other Revenue
The journal's business models or revenue sources are clearly stated on the website. Examples include author fees, subscriptions, sponsorships and subsidies, advertising, reprints, supplements, or special issues. Business models or revenue sources do not influence editorial decision-making.
15. Advertising
The journal states whether it accepts advertising. If it does, the journal states its advertising policy, including which types of advertisements will be considered, who makes decisions regarding accepting advertisements, and whether advertisements are linked to content or reader behaviour or displayed at random. Advertisements are not related in any way to editorial decision-making and are kept separate from published content.
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16. Direct Marketing
Any direct marketing activities, including solicitation of manuscripts, conducted on behalf of the journal are appropriate, well targeted, and unobtrusive. Information provided about the publisher or journal is truthful and not misleading for readers or authors.
17. Commitment to Transparency and Best Practice
Thoughts Review is committed to maintaining the highest standards of transparency and best practice in scholarly publishing. The journal periodically reviews its policies and procedures to ensure continued alignment with the Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing and with the expectations of major indexing databases, including DOAJ, Scopus, and the Web of Science.
In line with Scopus's encouragement of transparency, the journal maintains a dedicated Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy and discloses the use of AI in content creation and the publishing process. The journal also aims to publish an annual transparency statement that includes information on acceptance rates, review times, and retraction rates, as recommended for Scopus-indexed journals.
18. International Standards and Best Practices
This policy is developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles and is informed by the recommendations of:
1.Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)
2.Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)
3.Open Access Scholarly Publishing Association (OASPA)
4.World Association of Medical Editors (WAME)
5.International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE)
6.Major indexing databases, including Scopus and Web of Science
Thoughts Review follows the ethical principles and best practices recommended by these organizations to ensure responsible publishing and the protection of the scholarly record.
19. Policy Review
Thoughts Review periodically reviews and updates this policy to ensure continued alignment with evolving standards of transparency, research integrity, and ethical publishing. The editorial team is responsible for implementing this policy consistently and for reviewing it when significant developments arise.
Contact
Questions or concerns regarding this Policy of Transparency and Best Practices should be directed to the Thoughts Review editorial office using the official contact details published on the journal website.
