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Author Guidelines

Author Guidelines

Thoughts Review (TR) welcomes submissions of original scholarly research, review articles, and academic discussions that contribute to the fields of Arts & Humanities (Miscellaneous), including Religious Studies, Islamic Studies, Linguistics, Literature, Education, History, Philosophy, Culture, Translation Studies, International Relations, and related disciplines. The journal publishes articles in Arabic, Urdu, and English.

These guidelines are designed to help authors prepare their manuscripts for submission and to ensure a smooth and efficient editorial and peer review process. All submissions must comply with the journal’s Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement, Peer Review Policy, Plagiarism and Similarity Policy, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy.

1. Aims and Scope

Thoughts Review is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access quarterly research journal committed to publishing high-quality, original, and impactful research. The journal provides a platform for scholars, researchers, and academicians to disseminate their work to a global audience. Submissions should be relevant to the journal’s scope and demonstrate scholarly rigor, originality, and significance.

2. Article Types

The journal considers the following types of submissions:

Ø  Original Research Articles: Full-length articles presenting original empirical or theoretical research (typically 4,000–8,000 words, excluding references).

Ø  Review Articles: Comprehensive and critical reviews of the literature in a specific field (typically 5,000–10,000 words).

Ø  Scholarly Discussions: Conceptual or theoretical papers, commentaries, and short communications (typically 2,000–4,000 words).

Authors should indicate the type of submission in their cover letter.

3. Manuscript Preparation

3.1 General Formatting

                                                 i.       Manuscripts must be submitted as Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) files.

                                               ii.      Use Times New Roman, 12-point font, with 1.5-line spacing and 1-inch margins on all sides.

                                            iii.       Number all pages consecutively.

                                             iv.       Do not use footnotes; use endnotes sparingly if absolutely necessary.

                                               v.      Use British or American English consistently (for English submissions) or standard Urdu/Arabic orthography (for Urdu/Arabic submissions).

                                             vi.       Anonymize the manuscript for double-anonymous peer review: remove author names, affiliations, acknowledgements, and any identifying information from the main document. Author details should be provided separately in the submission system.

3.2 Title Page (Separate File)

A separate title page must be uploaded containing:

a)      Full article title.

b)      Author names, affiliations, and ORCID iDs (if available).

c)      Corresponding author’s full postal address, email, and telephone number.

d)      Acknowledgements (if any).

e)      Funding information (if any).

f)       Conflict of interest statement.

g)      AI use declaration (if applicable, as per the journal’s AI Policy).

3.3 Abstract and Keywords

                                                              i.      Provide an abstract of 200–250 words in English (and in Urdu/Arabic if the article is in that language). The abstract should state the purpose, methodology, key findings, and conclusions.

                                                            ii.      Provide 4–6 keywords that accurately reflect the content.

                                                          iii.      Avoid citations in the abstract.

3.4 Main Text Structure

For research articles, the main text should typically include:

A.    Introduction: Background, problem statement, research questions/objectives, and significance.

B.     Literature Review: Critical review of relevant scholarship.

C.     Methodology: Research design, data collection, and analysis methods.

D.    Results/Findings: Clear presentation of findings.

E.     Discussion: Interpretation and implications of findings.

F.      Conclusion: Summary and recommendations.

G.    References: Follow the citation style specified below.

Review articles may adopt a thematic or chronological structure appropriate to the field. Scholarly discussions may be organized as argument-driven essays.

3.5 References and Citation Style

Thoughts Review uses the APA 7th Edition citation style for all submissions. Authors must ensure that all in-text citations and the reference list are formatted accordingly. All references must be provided in Roman script (transliterate Urdu/Arabic titles if necessary, with English translation in brackets).

Examples of Common Citation Formats (APA 7th):

Journal Article:

 Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, Volume(Issue), Page range. https://doi.org/xxxx

 Example:

 Khan, M. A., & Ahmed, S. (2023). Islamic finance and economic development: A case study of Pakistan. Journal of Islamic Economics, 15(2), 45–67. https://doi.org/10.1234/jie.2023.15.2.45

Book:

 Author, A. A. (Year). Title of book (Edition). Publisher.

 Example:

 Rahman, F. (2020). Islamic methodology in history (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.

Book Chapter:

 Author, A. A. (Year). Title of chapter. In B. B. Editor (Ed.), Title of book (pp. xx–xx). Publisher.

  Example:

  Ali, S. (2021). Sufism and social harmony. In M. Iqbal (Ed.), Religion and society in South Asia (pp. 89–110). Cambridge University Press.

Website:

 Author or Organization. (Year, Month Day). Title of page. Site Name. URL

 Example:

 Higher Education Commission. (2026). HEC journal recognition system. https://hjrs.com.pk

Thesis/Dissertation:

 Author, A. A. (Year). Title of thesis [Doctoral dissertation, Name of University]. Repository Name. URL

Urdu/Arabic Source (transliterated):

Author, A. A. (Year). Transliterated title [English translation of title]. Publisher.

Example:

Faruqi, S. (2019). Tahzib aur adab [Culture and literature]. Maktaba Jamia.

In-text citation examples:

§  (Khan & Ahmed, 2023)

§  (Rahman, 2020, p. 45)

§  According to Ali (2021), …

Authors are responsible for the accuracy of all references.

3.6 Tables and Figures

                                                              i.      Tables and figures should be numbered consecutively (Table 1, Figure 1) and cited in the text.

                                                            ii.      Each table and figure must have a clear, descriptive caption.

                                                          iii.      Figures must be submitted as separate files (JPEG, PNG, or TIFF) at a resolution of at least 300 dpi.

                                                          iv.      Tables should be created using the table function in Word, not as images.

                                                            v.      If tables or figures are reproduced from another source, the author must obtain permission and acknowledge the source.

 

3.7 Appendices

Supplementary material (e.g., questionnaires, detailed data tables) may be included as appendices. Appendices should be labeled (Appendix A, Appendix B) and cited in the text.

4. Language and Style

Manuscripts must be written in clear, concise, and grammatically correct English, Urdu, or Arabic.

Authors whose first language is not English are encouraged to have their manuscripts professionally edited before submission.

                                                              i.      Use gender-neutral language where possible.

                                                            ii.      Define abbreviations at first mention.

                                                          iii.      Use standard international units of measurement.

5. Submission Process

All manuscripts must be submitted through the journal’s Online Journal Systems (OJS) platform at: https://www.thoughtsreview.com/index.php/TR

Authors must register as users and follow the online submission steps.

The following files must be uploaded:

  1. Title Page (separate file, containing author details).

  2. Anonymized Manuscript (main document without author identifiers).

  3. Cover Letter (brief statement of originality, significance, and confirmation that the manuscript is not under consideration elsewhere).

  4. Supplementary Files (figures, tables, appendices, if any).

§  A submission fee is payable at the time of submission. Details are available on the journal’s Publication Fees Policy page.

§  Upon submission, authors will receive an acknowledgement email with a manuscript ID.

6. Ethical Requirements

Authors must ensure that their submission complies with the following:

1.The manuscript is original and has not been published previously, in whole or in part, except as a preprint or abstract with proper disclosure.

2.The manuscript is not under consideration by any other journal.

3.All authors have approved the manuscript and agree to its submission.

4.All funding sources and conflicts of interest are disclosed.

5.Necessary ethical approvals and informed consent have been obtained for research involving human or animal participants.

6.Any use of generative AI tools is disclosed in accordance with the journal’s AI Policy.

7.The manuscript does not contain plagiarism or self-plagiarism. All sources are properly cited.

8.Third-party copyrighted material is used with permission and properly attributed.

Manuscripts that do not meet these requirements may be rejected at the editorial screening stage.

7. Peer Review Process

All submissions that pass the initial editorial screening undergo double-anonymous peer review by at least two independent experts. Authors will be notified of the review outcome, which may be:

                                                              i.      Accept (with or without minor revisions)

                                                            ii.      Minor Revision

                                                          iii.      Major Revision

                                                          iv.      Reject

Authors must respond to reviewers’ comments in a point-by-point response and submit a revised manuscript within the specified timeframe. Revised manuscripts may be re-reviewed.

The journal aims to complete the first round of review within 4–6 weeks, but timelines may vary. Authors may appeal an editorial decision in accordance with the journal’s Peer Review Policy.

8. Post-Acceptance

Upon acceptance:

                                                              i.      Authors will be asked to pay the remaining publication fee (if applicable) before publication.

                                                            ii.      Authors must complete a copyright and licensing agreement (CC BY 4.0).

                                                          iii.      The editorial team will copy-edit and typeset the article.

                                                          iv.      Authors will receive proofs for final approval before publication.

                                                            v.      The article will be assigned a DOI (Crossref DOI Prefix: 10.68024) and published online.

9. Contact

For questions about manuscript preparation, submission, or the peer review process, please contact the editorial office using the details published on the journal website.

Website: https://www.thoughtsreview.com/index.php/TR

ISSN (Print): 3106-9509

ISSN (Electronic): 3106-9517

Licence: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

DOI Prefix: 10.68024

These Author Guidelines are designed to facilitate a smooth and transparent submission process. Authors are encouraged to read them carefully and to consult the journal’s policies before submitting their work. Thoughts Review looks forward to receiving your scholarly contributions.

Submission Preparation Checklist

Submission Checklist

Please confirm that your submission complies with the following requirements before you begin. You will be asked to confirm these items as part of the submission process.

1. Originality and Prior Publication

 [ ] The manuscript is original and has not been published previously, in whole or in part, except as a preprint or abstract with proper disclosure.

 [ ] The manuscript is not currently under consideration by any other journal.

 [ ] Any prior preprint, related manuscript, or substantial overlap has been disclosed to the editorial office.

2. Authorship and Approval

 [ ] All listed authors meet the journal’s authorship criteria.

 [ ] All authors have approved the submitted version of the manuscript and agree to its submission.

 [ ] No person who meets the authorship criteria has been omitted, and no gift, guest, or ghost authorship is included.

3. Manuscript Preparation

 [ ] The manuscript is submitted as a Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) file.

 [ ] The manuscript follows the journal’s formatting requirements (Times New Roman 12 pt, 1.5 line spacing, 1inch margins).

 [ ] The manuscript has been anonymized for doubleanonymous peer review: author names, affiliations, acknowledgements, and other identifying information have been removed from the main document.

 [ ] A separate Title Page has been prepared containing author names, affiliations, contact details, ORCID iDs (if available), acknowledgements, funding information, conflict of interest statement, and AI use declaration (if applicable).

 [ ] The abstract is 200–250 words, and 4–6 keywords are provided.

 [ ] All references are formatted in APA 7th Edition style and are provided in Roman script (Urdu/Arabic titles transliterated with English translation in brackets).

 [ ] All tables and figures are numbered, captioned, cited in the text, and submitted in an acceptable format (figures at least 300 dpi).

 [ ] Permission has been obtained for any thirdparty copyrighted material, and the source is acknowledged.

4. Ethical Requirements

 [ ] Necessary research ethics approvals and informed consent have been obtained for research involving human or animal participants, and the approval reference is stated in the manuscript.

 [ ] All funding sources are disclosed in the manuscript.

 [ ] Any actual or potential conflicts of interest are disclosed in the manuscript and on the Title Page.

 [ ] Any use of generative AI tools has been disclosed in accordance with the journal’s AI Policy, and AI tools have not been used to fabricate data, manipulate images, or conceal plagiarism.

5. Journal Policies

 [ ] I have read and agree to comply with the journal’s Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement.

 [ ] I have read and agree to comply with the journal’s Peer Review Policy (doubleanonymous review).

 [ ] I have read and agree to comply with the journal’s Plagiarism and Similarity Policy.

 [ ] I have read and agree to comply with the journal’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy.

 [ ] I have read and agree to comply with the journal’s Conflict of Interest Policy.

 [ ] I have read and agree to comply with the journal’s Copyright Policy and Licensing Policy (CC BY 4.0).

 [ ] I understand that all fees paid to the journal are nonrefundable.

6. Submission Files

 [ ] Title Page (separate file) is ready for upload.

 [ ] Anonymized Manuscript (main document) is ready for upload.

 [ ] Cover Letter is ready for upload.

 [ ] Supplementary files (figures, tables, appendices, if any) are ready for upload.

7. Submission Fee

 [ ] I understand that a submission fee is payable at the time of submission and that all fees are nonrefundable.

 [ ] I have reviewed the journal’s Publication Fees Policy and am prepared to pay the applicable fee.

8. Author Responsibilities

[ ] I confirm that I will cooperate fully with editorial inquiries regarding the integrity of the work.

 [ ] I confirm that I will promptly notify the journal of any material error discovered in the published article.

 [ ] I confirm that the information provided in this submission is accurate and complete.

Website: https://www.thoughtsreview.com/index.php/TR

ISSN (Print): 31069509

ISSN (Electronic): 31069517

Licence: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

DOI Prefix: 10.68024

Privacy Statement

Privacy Statement

Thoughts Review (TR) is committed to protecting the privacy and personal data of all individuals who interact with the journal, including authors, reviewers, editors, readers, and website visitors. This Privacy Statement explains what personal data the journal collects, how it is used, how it is protected, and the rights available to individuals in relation to their data.

This statement applies to the journal’s website (https://www.thoughtsreview.com/index.php/TR) and to the editorial and publishing processes conducted through the journal’s Open Journal Systems (OJS) platform. It is displayed during user registration, author submission, and on the journal’s publicly available Privacy page.

1. Data Controller

The data controller for personal data processed through the journal is Thoughts Review. Questions about this Privacy Statement or requests relating to personal data should be directed to the editorial office using the contact details published on the journal website.

 

2. Personal Data Collected

Thoughts Review collects personal data in the following ways:

2.1 During User Registration

When a user registers on the journal website, the journal collects:

1.      Name.

2.      Email address.

3.      Username and password.

4.      Institutional affiliation.

5.      Any other information the user chooses to provide in their profile.

2.2 During Manuscript Submission

When an author submits a manuscript, the journal collects:

                                                              i.      Author names, affiliations, and contact details.

                                                            ii.      Corresponding author’s postal address, email address, and telephone number.

                                                          iii.      ORCID iDs (where provided).

                                                          iv.      Funding information and conflict-of-interest disclosures.

                                                            v.      Any other information included in the submission files.

2.3 During Peer Review and Editorial Processes

When individuals participate as reviewers or editors, the journal collects:

 

*      Names, affiliations, and contact details.

*      Areas of expertise and review history.

*      Correspondence relating to manuscript evaluation.

2.4 Website Usage Data

When visitors browse the journal website, the journal may automatically collect:

                                                              i.      IP address.

                                                            ii.      Browser type and version.

                                                          iii.      Pages visited and entry/exit dates.

                                                          iv.      Session duration and referral information.

This data is used in an aggregated and anonymised form to understand how the website is used and to improve the journal’s services.

2.5 Cookies

The journal website uses cookies to manage user sessions and to support core functionality, such as logging in and maintaining a user’s session while navigating the site. Cookies are not required simply to visit the site and read content. Users may disable cookies in their browser settings, although this may affect some functionality of the website.

3. How Personal Data Is Used

Thoughts Review processes personal data for the following purposes:

 

                                                              i.      Managing manuscript submissions and peer review: To receive, assess, review, edit, and publish manuscripts, and to communicate with authors, reviewers, and editors throughout the editorial process.

                                                            ii.      Publication and dissemination: To publish articles, display author information as part of the scholarly record, and disseminate content through indexing, abstracting, and archiving services.

                                                          iii.      Communication: To respond to enquiries, provide editorial correspondence, and send notifications relating to submissions, reviews, and publications.

                                                          iv.      Journal administration: To manage user accounts, maintain editorial records, and support the efficient operation of the journal.

                                                            v.      Website improvement: To analyse usage patterns and improve the functionality, accessibility, and performance of the journal website.

                                                          vi.      Legal and ethical compliance: To meet applicable legal obligations, support research integrity processes (such as plagiarism screening), and respond to allegations of misconduct in accordance with the journal’s policies.

The names and email addresses entered in this journal site will be used exclusively for the stated purposes of this journal and will not be made available for any other purpose or to any other party, except as described in this Privacy Statement.

4. Legal Basis for Processing

Where data protection laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) apply, Thoughts Review processes personal data on the following legal bases:

a)      Contractual necessity: Processing is necessary for the performance of the publishing and editorial services the journal provides, including manuscript submission, peer review, and publication.

b)      Legitimate interests: Processing is necessary for the legitimate interests of the journal in operating a scholarly publication, maintaining editorial records, ensuring research integrity, and improving its services.

c)      Legal obligation: Processing is necessary to comply with applicable legal requirements.

d)      Consent: Where consent is required, the journal will seek it clearly and separately, and individuals may withdraw consent at any time.

 

5. Sharing of Personal Data

Thoughts Review does not sell or rent personal data.

Personal data may be shared in the following circumstances:

Ø  With reviewers and editors: As part of the double-anonymous peer review process, personal identifiers are removed from manuscripts. Reviewer identities are kept confidential in accordance with the journal’s Peer Review Policy.

Ø  With indexing, abstracting, and archiving services: Author names, affiliations, article metadata, and corresponding author contact details may be shared with services such as Crossref (for DOI registration), OpenAlex, and other scholarly discovery platforms, and with digital preservation services, in order to publish and preserve the scholarly record.

Ø  With technical service providers: The journal uses the Open Journal Systems (OJS) platform and related technical services to manage its website and editorial workflow. These providers process data on behalf of the journal and are expected to maintain appropriate safeguards.

Ø  With institutions or authorities: Data may be shared where required by law, or where necessary to investigate allegations of research or publication misconduct in accordance with the journal’s Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement.

Where personal data is transferred outside the individual’s jurisdiction, the journal takes reasonable steps to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place.

6. Data Retention

Thoughts Review retains personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by law or editorial practice.

1.Published articles and associated metadata (including author names and affiliations) are retained indefinitely as part of the permanent scholarly record.

2.Manuscripts that are rejected or withdrawn are retained for a reasonable period to support editorial records and integrity processes, after which they may be deleted.

3.User account data is retained for as long as the account remains active, and for a reasonable period thereafter to meet administrative and legal requirements.

4.Reviewer and editor data is retained for as long as needed for editorial workflows and the maintenance of editorial records.

7. Data Security

Thoughts Review takes reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal data against unauthorised access, loss, alteration, or disclosure. These measures include secure hosting of the OJS platform, access controls, and confidentiality obligations for editors, reviewers, and staff.

No method of transmission or storage is completely secure. While the journal takes data protection seriously, it cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Rights of Individuals

Subject to applicable law, individuals whose personal data is processed by Thoughts Review may have the following rights:

                                                              i.      Right of access: To request confirmation of whether their personal data is being processed and to obtain a copy of that data.

                                                            ii.      Right to rectification: To request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal data.

                                                          iii.      Right to erasure: To request deletion of personal data where there is no legal or legitimate reason for its continued retention.

                                                          iv.      Right to restriction of processing: To request that processing be restricted in certain circumstances.

                                                            v.      Right to object: To object to processing based on legitimate interests, including processing for analytics purposes.

                                                          vi.      Right to data portability: To request the transfer of their personal data to another service, where applicable.

                                                        vii.      Right to withdraw consent: Where processing is based on consent, to withdraw that consent at any time.

 

Requests to exercise these rights should be directed to the editorial office using the contact details published on the journal website. The journal will respond within a reasonable timeframe and in accordance with applicable law.

Individuals also have the right to lodge a complaint with a relevant data protection authority, where such a right exists under applicable law.

9. Cookies and Analytics

The journal website uses cookies to manage user sessions and to support core functionality. Cookies are required for logged-in users to maintain their session but are not required simply to visit the site and read content.

The journal may use aggregated and anonymised analytics data to understand how the website is used and to improve its services. Such data is not used to identify individual visitors.

Users may manage cookie preferences through their browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect the availability of certain features.

10. Third-Party Links

The journal website may contain links to external websites, including indexing services, repositories, and partner organisations. Thoughts Review is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of external websites. Users are encouraged to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites they visit.

11. Children’s Privacy

Thoughts Review does not knowingly collect personal data from children. The journal’s services are intended for academic and scholarly use by adults. If the journal becomes aware that personal data of a child has been collected without appropriate consent, it will take reasonable steps to delete such data.

 

12. Changes to This Privacy Statement

Thoughts Review may update this Privacy Statement from time to time to reflect changes in legal requirements, editorial practices, or the journal’s services. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date. Where changes are significant, the journal will take reasonable steps to notify affected individuals.

Continued use of the journal website or services after changes to this Privacy Statement constitutes acceptance of the revised statement.

13. Contact

Questions, concerns, or requests relating to this Privacy Statement or the processing of personal data should be directed to the Thoughts Review editorial office using the official contact details published on the journal website.

Website: https://www.thoughtsreview.com/index.php/TR

ISSN (Print): 3106-9509

ISSN (Electronic): 3106-9517

Licence: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)