Policy Document

CEERAT Journal of Society and Development (CEERATJSD), ISSN (Online) (3080-4256) & ISSN (print) (3080-2448), is an interdisciplinary, blind peer-reviewed, open access journal published under Center of Engineering Research Advancement and Technology (CEERAT) (SMC-Private) Limited (CUI No. 0287484). The CEERAT Journal of Society and Development (CEERATJSD) is an international, peer-reviewed research journal dedicated to advancing scholarly knowledge in the fields of sociology, developmental studies, social sciences, and humanities. CEERATJSD serves as a platform for academics, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to share insights and foster dialogue on pressing issues related to sustainability development and medical health, technology and society, the metaverse, and social well-being. The journal adopts an interdisciplinary approach, encouraging contributions that explore the complex dynamics between crime and peace within local, national, and global contexts. By publishing high-quality research, CEERATJSD aims to promote innovative thinking, evidence based solutions, and collaborative efforts toward creating safer and more harmonious societies.

Frequency of Publication

CEERAT Journal of Society and Development (CEERATJSD) publication schedule comprises one (01) volume with two (02) issues each year on a regular basis with the following description.

1st Issue            January - June

2nd issue           July - December

About the Journal

CEERAT Journal of Society and Development (CEERATJSD), ISSN (Online) (3080-4256) & ISSN (print) (3080-2448), is an interdisciplinary, blind peer-reviewed, open access journal published under Center of Engineering Research Advancement and Technology (CEERAT) (SMC-Private) Limited (CUI No. 0287484). The CEERAT Journal of Society and Development 
(CEERATJSD) is an international, peer-reviewed research journal dedicated to advancing 
scholarly knowledge in the fields of sociology, developmental studies, social sciences, and 
humanities. CEERATJSD serves as a platform for academics, researchers, practitioners, and 
policymakers to share insights and foster dialogue on pressing issues related to sustainability  development and medical health, technology and society, the metaverse, and social well-being. The journal adopts an interdisciplinary approach, encouraging contributions that explore the  complex dynamics between crime and peace within local, national, and global contexts. By publishing high-quality research, CEERATJSD aims to promote innovative thinking, evidence based solutions, and collaborative efforts toward creating safer and more harmonious societies. 

Mission

The mission of the CEERAT Journal of Society and Development (CEERATJSD) is to promote rigorous academic research and foster interdisciplinary dialogue on issues related to crime, peace, and societal well-being. The journal is committed to advancing knowledge that addresses the root causes of crime and conflict while exploring innovative solutions for social development in the fields of social change and medical health advancement. CEERATJSD seeks to bridge the gap between research, policy, and practice by providing a platform for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to share evidence-based insights that contribute to creating more advanced development among worldwide societies.

Aims and Objectives

The CEERAT Journal of Society and Development (CEERATJSD) aims to provide a scholarly platform for interdisciplinary research and critical discussions on issues related to complex social organization, policy, and governance for societal development. The journal seeks to promote innovative research that explores the complex interplay between technology and society, community development, cultural dynamics, and sustainable development goals. It encourages contributions from sociology and related fields to advance knowledge and offer solutions for pressing societal challenges. The primary objective of CEERATJSD is to facilitate evidence based policy discourse, enhance public understanding related to migration and urbanization, education, and social change, and foster collaborative efforts among academics, policymakers, and practitioners to make sustainable societies.

Audience

Our readership includes academics and researchers in the fields of sociology, social inequality, and mobility; consultants; students; and policymakers interested in the empirical and theoretical analysis of society and its development in institutions of health, medical illness, and well-being.

Scope and Focus


CEERATJSD welcomes empirical research (quantitative and qualitative), theoretical analyses, policy reviews, discourses, scientific and systematic literature reviews, and case studies on topics such as: 
• Public and social policy 
• Community resilience 
• Social inequality and mobility, 
• Community development 
• Cultural dynamics and Economic Crisis 
• Sustainable development 
• Technology and society 
• Health, medical illness and well-being 
• Migration and urbanization 
• Education and social change 
• Gender studies 
• Policy and governance 
The journal is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity and strives to contribute meaningfully to ongoing scholarly and policy debates.

Open Access

We are proud to be an open-access journal, providing unrestricted online access to our content to support a greater global exchange of knowledge. This aligns with our belief that free access to scholarly research supports a greater global exchange of information and has the power to amplify the impact of research across borders and among diverse academic and practical 
communities.

Submitting to the Journal 

CEERATJSD welcomes submissions that advance the fields of social sciences and humanities. For submission guidelines and deadlines, please visit the journal page. The review process is rigorous, ensuring that only the highest quality research is published. 
Submit your manuscript to the CEERAT Journal of Society and Development (CEERATJSD) 
at editor@ceeratjsd.com

 

Copyrights and Licensing

This CEERAT Journal of Society and Development (CEERATJSD) operates under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0). This means that users are free to use, share, reproduce, or display the content in any medium, as long as proper credit is given to the original authors. The material may only be used for non-commercial purposes, such as research, education, or academic discussion, and must be appropriately cited to maintain scholarly integrity.

Privacy Statement

Any information provided by authors on the CEERAT Journal of Society and Development (CEERATJSD) website, including names, email addresses, and contact details, will be used solely for the purposes of managing submissions, communications, and other activities related to this journal. This information will not be shared, sold, or otherwise disclosed to any third party for any purpose beyond the stated objectives of the journal.

Authority Registration

CEERAT Journal of Society and Development (CEERATJSD), ISSN (Online) (3080-4256) & ISSN (print) (3080-2448) is an esteemed academic journal published under Center of Engineering Research Advancement and Technology (CEERAT)  (SMC-Private) Limited (CUI No. 0287484).

 

Join Reviewers Teams

Respected Sir/Madam

On behalf of the Editorial Board of the CEERAT Journal of Society and Development (CEERATJSD), we are pleased to invite qualified researchers and academics to join our panel of peer reviewers.

(CEERATJSD) is an interdisciplinary, biannual, double-blind peer-reviewed, open-access journal committed to providing a scholarly platform for the exchange of original research in social sciences, sociology, social work, anthropology, public policy, disaster management and so on. We welcome contributions that align with our editorial standards and interdisciplinary scope, encouraging academic dialogue across diverse fields.

We invite both national and international scholars holding a PhD in relevant disciplines to become part of our reviewer community. If you have expertise in one or more of the journal’s focus areas and are interested in contributing to the peer-review process, we would be delighted to consider your application.

Website: https://ceeratjsd.com/

To express your interest, please send your updated CV (in English) to our editorial team via email, such as, editor@ceeratjsd.com
Contact us if you have any questions.

Yours faithfully.

Conflicts Of Interest

CEERAT Journal of Society and Development (CEERATJSD) is committed to transparency and integrity in academic publishing. To uphold these values, all authors are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could influence or be perceived to influence the content of their manuscript. A conflict of interest may arise from personal, financial, or professional relationships, such as affiliations with organizations, financial stakes, research funding, consultancy fees, or any other benefits that could bias judgment.

Authors must provide a clear Declaration of Conflicting Interests during the submission process. This declaration will be included in the published article to ensure openness with readers and reviewers. Examples of potential conflicts include receiving funding from interested parties, holding shares in related companies, being employed by organizations that may benefit from the research, or receiving compensation for attending related conferences or events.

If any such interests exist, authors must disclose them prior to acceptance. If no conflicts are present, authors should explicitly state: “The author(s) declare(s) that there is no conflict of interest.” These requirements also apply to editors and peer reviewers, where applicable.

Authors must certify the following during submission:

  1. All financial support related to the research is properly acknowledged.
  2. Any commercial or financial interest potentially related to the work is disclosed.
  3. Any conflict of interest has been discussed with the Editor to determine whether it should be made public.
  4. No agreement has been signed with any sponsor that restricts the publication of results or requires prior approval before publishing.
  5. The manuscript complies with the journal’s Submission Guidelines regarding the Declaration of Conflicting Interests.

This declaration should appear at the end of the manuscript, after the Acknowledgments and before the Funding Statement, Notes (if any), and References.

 

Copyrights and Licensing

 

The CEERAT Journal of Society and Development (CEERATJSD) uses the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) license. This means that anyone can read, share, copy, or use the articles in any format. However, users must give proper credit to the original authors and should only use the material for non-commercial purposes, such as research or education. The original work must also be properly cited whenever it is used.

 

Announcement

Submissions are open always to Volume, Issue, January-to-June and July-to-December Every Year!

Submission open for current Issue, Volume 3, Issue 1, January-July (2026)

Editor-in-Chief

Website: https://ceeratjsd.com/index.php/home

Emails:
For further information and sending your CV as editorial and advisory board member, please follow the email: editor@ceeratjsd.com

Publication Process

The CEERAT Journal of Society and Development (CEERATJSD) operates using the Open Journal Systems (OJS), a robust, open-source platform for journal management and publishing, developed and maintained by the Public Knowledge Project under the GNU General Public License. This system ensures a streamlined and transparent editorial workflow for authors, reviewers, and editors. All submitted manuscripts undergo a structured and rigorous review process, as outlined below:

 

Revenue Sources

The CEERAT Journal of Society and Development (CEERATJSD) is a non-profit scholarly journal managed by the Centre of Engineering Research Advancement and Technology (CEERAT), officially registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). The journal’s financial support comes from multiple sources, including funding from its parent organization, publication fees for accepted manuscripts, institutional partnerships, and competitive research grants. Additional support is provided through donations from individuals and organizations dedicated to advancing academic research in business, management, finance, and related fields. Revenue may also be generated through advertising, sponsored special issues, and subscription sales of printed editions. All funds are responsibly allocated to support editorial operations, publication processes, digital infrastructure, and the continued growth and visibility of the journal, while maintaining its commitment to open-access publishing.

Guidelines

Review Process

All manuscripts submitted to the CEERAT Journal of Society and Development (CEERATJSD) undergo a rigorous evaluation process based on originality, significance, proper documentation, reader engagement, and overall quality of writing. Submissions that do not comply with the journal’s author guidelines will be returned for revision before the review process begins.

In line with international ethical standards, if any allegation of research misconduct arises regarding a published article, the journal’s editorial team will follow the COPE’s guidelines or an equivalent framework to address the issue appropriately.

Key points of the review process include:

  • Plagiarism Screening: All submissions are subjected to a plagiarism check using Turnitin. Manuscripts with a total similarity index exceeding 19%, or more than 3% similarity from a single source, and not allowed AI will be returned for clarification, revision, or rejection based on editorial evaluation.
  • Initial Editorial Review: The editorial board conducts a preliminary assessment to ensure the manuscript aligns with the journal’s aims, scope, and submission policies.
  • Peer Review Process: Manuscripts passing the initial review are sent to two independent external reviewers and, where appropriate, a statistical reviewer. The journal follows a double-blind peer review process, ensuring anonymity of both authors and reviewers to maintain impartiality.
  • Revision and Re-evaluation: Revised submissions are re-evaluated for how effectively authors address the reviewers’ comments and suggestions. Manuscripts may be returned multiple times during this phase for clarification or improvement.
  • Technical and Language Editing: Accepted articles undergo further checks for technical accuracy, statistical soundness, ethical compliance, and language clarity.
  • Final Decision: The Editorial Board retains the right to make the final decision regarding the acceptance or rejection of any manuscript at any stage of the submission or review process.

 

Guidelines for Authors

The CEERAT Journal of Society and Development (CEERATJSD) follows specific bibliographic and formatting standards, including preferred citation styles. Authors must adhere to the following guidelines when preparing and submitting manuscripts:

  1. Submission Platform: All manuscripts must be submitted through the Open Journal Systems (OJS), accessible via the journal’s official website: ceeratjsd.com
  2. Registration Requirement: Authors are required to register on the OJS platform before submitting their manuscripts. Registration is essential for communication and tracking throughout the editorial process.
  3. Formatting Compliance: Authors must carefully read and follow the submission guidelines provided on the journal’s website. Manuscripts should be formatted according to the journal’s standards, particularly in APA style 7th (latest edition).
  4. Initial Screening: Once submitted, manuscripts undergo an initial review by the desk editors. Submissions not aligned with the author guidelines may be returned to the authors for revision before proceeding to peer review.
  5. Originality Statement: Authors must confirm that the manuscript has not been previously published and is not under consideration elsewhere, either in whole or in part.
  6. Language and Style: Submissions should be written in clear, concise, and grammatically correct English, and structured to meet high academic standards.

 

Publication Schedule
Consistency and regularity are essential elements that enhance the credibility of academic journals. In line with this, the CEERAT Journal of Society and Development (CEERATJSD) follows an annual publication cycle consisting of one (1) volume comprising two (2) issues each year:

  • January–June Issue
  • July–December Issue

These issues are published regularly according to the schedule above.

Author(s) Contribution

At the CEERAT Journal of Society and Development (CEERATJSD), we deeply value transparency, collaboration, and academic excellence. To celebrate the collective effort behind each published work, authors are requested to include a separate and clearly articulated Author Contribution Statement highlighting the specific roles and meaningful input of each contributor.

We warmly encourage authors to express their appreciation through a thoughtful Acknowledgments section, recognizing all individuals or institutions that have significantly supported or enriched the research journey.

For a smooth and professional submission process, all authors principal, corresponding, and co-authors are invited to provide their full names, e-mail addresses, contact numbers, and institutional affiliations on the first page of the manuscript.
Additionally, submitting ORCID identifiers is highly encouraged, as it enhances author visibility and ensures global scholarly recognition.

Join CEERATJSD in advancing impactful research through clarity, integrity, and collaborative excellence.

Ownership of the Published Articles

At DHSS, we proudly champion openness, accessibility, and the global exchange of knowledge. To support a vibrant scholarly community, all published content is made available under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0).

This empowering license allows readers, researchers, and educators worldwide to use, share, reproduce, disseminate, and display the published work celebrating authors as the rightful creators while ensuring that all reuse remains strictly for non-commercial, academic, or educational purposes.

Through this open-access commitment, DHSS invites a wider audience to engage with your research, amplifying its reach, impact, and scholarly value across the globe.

 

Guidelines for Reviews

Reviewer Guidelines for CEERAT Journal of Society and Development (CEERATJSD)

As a reviewer for CEERATJSD, you play a crucial role in ensuring the quality, objectivity, and integrity of the research we publish. The journal follows a double-blind peer review process, where the identities of both authors and reviewers are concealed to maintain impartiality and fairness.

Reviewers are expected to evaluate manuscripts based on their originality, significance, clarity, scientific validity, and relevance to the field of business, management, and finance. Constructive criticism is essential, and reviewers should focus on the scientific quality of the research rather than personal judgments. The CEERATJBMF adheres to the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines and strives to ensure that the review process is fair, unbiased, and timely. We value your time and expertise, and we are grateful for your contribution to maintaining the high standards of our journal.

Key Responsibilities

  • Objectivity & Confidentiality: Reviewers are responsible for conducting impartial and professional reviews, ensuring confidentiality throughout the process. Manuscripts must not be discussed with colleagues or used in your own research without prior approval from the editor.
  • Conflict of Interest: If you have any conflicts of interest due to personal or professional relationships with the authors or organizations involved, please decline the review or disclose it confidentially to the editor.
  • Reviewing Process
    • Reviews should focus on improving the manuscript by identifying its strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for enhancement. Be specific in your feedback and offer clear, detailed comments that provide actionable insights for authors.
    • You may choose to annotate the manuscript directly or submit a separate review document.
    • While peer review is not a copy-editing task, please highlight areas where clarity and accuracy can be improved, especially in scientific content, methods, and statistics.

Specific Aspects to Consider

  • Relevance to the Journal: Is the topic appropriate for CEERATJSD and of interest to its broad audience?
  • Content Evaluation: Does the title, abstract, and conclusion reflect the paper's core message? Is the writing clear, concise, and engaging without unnecessary repetition?
  • Research Design: Are the methods scientifically sound and clearly described? Are the statistical analyses appropriate and well-justified?
  • Ethical Considerations: Is the research ethically conducted, and are necessary approvals or consents in place?
  • Data Presentation: Are the tables and figures clearly presented, and do they support the findings discussed in the text?
  • References & Citations: Are the references accurate, appropriate, and sufficient to support the claims made? Are there any significant gaps in the citation of relevant literature?
  • Overall Quality: Does the manuscript adhere to the journal’s submission guidelines and contribute valuable knowledge to the field?

Ethical Concerns

If you suspect research misconduct, such as plagiarism, data manipulation, or authorship disputes, please inform the editor immediately. Similarly, if you notice any issues with duplicate publication or prior dissemination, highlight this in your review.

Publication Schedule

Frequency and regularity are the main requirements that directly influence the credibility of the journals. In this connection, the CEERAT Journal of Society and Development (CEERATJSD) publication schedule comprises one (1) volume with two (2) issues each year on a regular basis with the following descriptions:

  • January to June Issue
  • July to December Issue

 

Author(s) Contribution

Authors are required to include a Contributions Statement as a separate section when submitting their articles to CEERAT Journal of Society and Development (CEERATJSD). This section should acknowledge all individuals who have made significant contributions to the research. During manuscript submission, all authors including the principal, corresponding, and co-authors must provide their full names, email addresses, contact numbers, and institutional affiliations (on the first page only). Additionally, authors are encouraged to provide their ORCID identifiers to help ensure proper academic attribution.

Ownership of the Published Articles

Unless stated otherwise, all content published in CEERAT Journal of Society and Development (CEERATJSD) is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0). This license allows users to use, reproduce, share, or display the article, as long as the authors are properly credited as the original creators. The reuse of the content is strictly limited to non-commercial purposes, such as research or educational use.

Ethics Statement

Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement (PEMS)

The CEERAT Journal of Society and Development (CEERATJSD) upholds the highest standards of publication ethics and integrity. We are committed to ensuring the credibility, originality, and scholarly quality of the research we publish.

Plagiarism, data falsification, and unethical research practices are strictly prohibited. Any manuscript found to violate ethical standards will be rejected or withdrawn from publication. Authors are required to confirm that their work is original, unpublished, and not under review elsewhere, and that all authors have agreed to the submission.

CEERATJSD follows the ethical guidelines set forth by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). More information is available at http:/publicationethics.org/.

Author Responsibilities

Authors submitting to CEERATJSD must adhere to the following ethical guidelines:

  1. Manuscript Length:
    • Full-length research articles should not exceed 7,000 words, including references.
    • Focus essays (discussions on events, theories, or emerging concepts) should be around 4,000 words. Both undergo double-blind peer review.
  2. Originality and Accuracy:
    • Authors must present an accurate account of their work and its significance, ensuring originality and clarity.
    • Manuscripts must provide new insights or interpretations and must not be under consideration by any other journal.
  3. Referencing Style:
    • All citations and references must follow APA Style.
  4. Authorship Criteria:
    • Only individuals who significantly contributed to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the study should be listed as authors.
  5. Plagiarism Check:
    • A Turnitin Similarity Report must be submitted to confirm the manuscript’s originality.
  6. Disclosure of Conflicts:
    • Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest and all sources of financial or institutional support.
  7. Copyright Agreement:
    • A signed agreement confirming originality and copyright transfer must be submitted upon acceptance.

Reviewer Responsibilities

Reviewers play a vital role in upholding the quality and credibility of CEERATJSD through an objective double-blind peer-review process:

  1. Reviewers should only accept assignments for which they have relevant expertise and can provide timely feedback.
  2. Manuscripts must be treated as confidential documents and not shared without prior permission.
  3. Reviews should be constructive, focused on the research rather than the authors, and supported by clear reasoning and references.
  4. Reviewers must identify uncited relevant literature and report any ethical concerns, such as plagiarism or data manipulation.
  5. Reviewers must not use unpublished content from manuscripts for their own benefit without the author’s explicit permission.

Publisher Responsibilities

As the publishing body, CEERAT is committed to:

  1. Investigating allegations of misconduct and taking corrective actions such as retractions, errata, or clarifications when necessary.
  2. Ensuring long-term preservation and accessibility of all published content through archiving partnerships and digital repositories.
  3. Promptly correcting any inaccurate or misleading content found post-publication.
  4. Treating all complaints seriously and responding transparently, regardless of the complainant.

Editor Responsibilities

The editorial team of CEERATJSD is accountable for maintaining the integrity and scholarly quality of published content:

  1. Manuscripts are evaluated solely on academic merit—originality, relevance, clarity, and scientific contribution without bias regarding the author’s background or affiliations.
  2. Editors are responsible for maintaining confidentiality throughout the review process and ensuring a fair double-blind peer-review, which includes two international reviewers and one national reviewer as per HEC Pakistan’s requirements.
  3. Editors will not use unpublished information for their own research and will recuse themselves from handling submissions where a conflict of interest exists.
  4. Editorial decisions are based on peer review, scientific quality, and compliance with legal and ethical standards.

Guest Editor Responsibilities

Guest editors overseeing special issues are expected to:

  1. Define the theme and scope of the issue and clarify the purpose of each article.
  2. Provide detailed guidance to contributors regarding the topic and expectations.
  3. Collaborate with the editorial board to select qualified peer reviewers.
  4. Manage the workflow and deadlines for submission, peer review, and revision.

 

Funding Statement

The CEERAT Journal of Society and Development (CEERATJSD) requires all authors to disclose any financial support received for the research presented in their manuscript. This includes funding from institutional, private, or corporate sources. The name(s) of the funding organization(s), along with the grant number(s), must be clearly stated under the heading “Funding” at the end of the manuscript and provided at the time of submission.

If no specific funding was received, authors must include the following statement at the last page of the paper/article:
“This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.”

This funding information will appear in the final published version of the article to ensure transparency and maintain academic integrity.

Publication Fee

The CEERAT Journal of Society and Development (CEERATJSD) does not charge any publication fees, including Article Processing Charges (APCs), for the submission, review, or publication of manuscripts. We are committed to supporting open access to scholarly research by removing financial barriers, ensuring that all authors regardless of funding can contribute to and share their work freely with the global academic community.

 

Publication Agreement

Before submitting a manuscript to the CEERAT Journal of Society and Development (CEERATJSD), authors are strongly advised and required to ensure full compliance with the following submission guidelines. Failure to meet these criteria may result in the manuscript being returned without review:

  • The manuscript must be original and unpublished, and not under consideration by any other journal or publisher, either locally or internationally.
  • The submission file should be in an editable format, such as Microsoft Word, OpenOffice, or RTF, and must be free of access restrictions (e.g., passwords or locked editing).
  • The text must be single-spaced, use a 11-point font, and apply italics (not underlining) for emphasis, except in URLs. All figures, tables, and illustrations should be embedded within the text at their appropriate locations as well as not appended at the end.
  • The manuscript must strictly follow the formatting, stylistic, and bibliographic requirements as detailed in the Author Guidelines section of the journal.
  • The content must not include any material that could be considered abusive, obscene, defamatory, misleading, fraudulent, libelous, or legally prohibited.
  • If the manuscript is submitted or accepted elsewhere during the review process, the author must notify the editorial team immediately. Such an action will be interpreted as a voluntary withdrawal from CEERATJSD.

    Peer Review Policy

    CEERATJSD adheres strictly to its editorial and peer review protocols to maintain the integrity and quality of the publication. The editorial process ensures that:

    • The manuscript aligns with the journal’s aims and scope.
    • The research presented is original, innovative, and of high quality.
    • The article follows the formatting and structural guidelines of CEERATJSD.
    • Language use, including grammar, style, and composition, meets academic standards.

    Peer Review Process

    CEERATJSD employs a double-blind peer review system, where both the authors and reviewers remain anonymous throughout the review process. A detailed outline of the review process is provided below:

    1. Manuscript Submission

    Authors can submit their manuscripts via the CEERATJSD Online Journal System (OJS) for consideration.

    2. Initial Editorial Office Check

    The editorial office conducts an initial screening to verify that the submission adheres to formatting requirements and falls within the scope of the journal. At this stage, the quality of the research is not evaluated.

    3. Chief Editor's Assessment

    The Chief Editor reviews the manuscript for originality, relevance, and potential contribution to the field. Manuscripts that do not meet these standards may be rejected without proceeding to peer review.

    4. Assignment to Associate Editor

    If the manuscript passes the initial assessment, the Chief Editor delegates it to an Associate Editor for further evaluation.

    5. Desk Review by Associate Editor

    The Associate Editor conducts a detailed review to assess the manuscript’s alignment with journal standards and provides recommendations for improvement.

    6. Feedback to Authors

    Authors receive the Associate Editor’s suggestions for revisions. Once revisions are incorporated, the manuscript proceeds to the external peer review stage.

    7. Reviewer Invitation

    Specialist reviewers are invited to evaluate the manuscript. The journal typically selects two reviewers and expects the review process to be completed within 2 to 4 weeks.

    8. Review Process

    Reviewers examine the manuscript’s strengths and weaknesses. They may recommend acceptance (with or without revisions), major revisions, or rejection based on their evaluation. Reviews are submitted to the editorial team along with recommendations.

    9. Editorial Evaluation of Reviews

    The editorial team reviews all feedback and recommendations from the reviewers. In cases of conflicting reviews, a third reviewer may be consulted to provide additional insight.

    10. Communication of Decision

    The editor informs the authors of the editorial decision via email, including detailed reviewer feedback and revision requests if applicable.

    11. Final Decision

    Upon receiving the revised manuscript, the editorial team evaluates whether the authors have adequately addressed the reviewers’ concerns. If necessary, further revisions may be requested, or the manuscript may be rejected if revisions are insufficient.

    12. Editing and Proofreading

    Accepted manuscripts undergo copyediting, layout formatting, and proofreading to ensure linguistic and structural quality. Authors are provided with the final PDF version for review before publication.

    13. Appeals Process

    Authors wishing to appeal an editorial decision may contact the Editor-in-Chief. The appeal will be reviewed along with reviewer comments. If warranted, the manuscript may be re-evaluated or sent to new reviewers. The Editor-in-Chief’s decision following an appeal is final. All appeals are acknowledged within two working days.

     

    Archiving and Repository Policy

    CEERATJSD ensures long-term access to its published content through reliable digital archiving systems, protecting against data loss.

    PKP Preservation Network (PN)
    The journal uses the PKP Preservation Network, a free service integrated with the Open Journal System (OJS), to securely archive all published content. This plugin is active for CEERATJSD, ensuring inclusion in a trusted preservation network.

    Self-Archiving Policy
    Authors are encouraged to archive any version of their manuscripts including pre-prints, accepted versions, and final published articles in institutional or subject-based repositories without embargo. This supports open access and wider dissemination of research.

     

    Plagiarism Policy

    Plagiarism Policy of CEERATJSD

    CEERAT Journal of Society and Development (CEERATJSD) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published biannually. The journal strictly follows HEC (Pakistan) guidelines on plagiarism, maintaining a zero-tolerance policy.

    Submissions must be original, with a Turnitin similarity index of 19% or less overall, and no single source exceeding 3%. Authors must properly cite all sources, including text, data, graphs, and ideas, and ensure any reused content is clearly attributed.

    Upon submission, authors are required to declare the originality of their work and provide proper citations wherever prior work is referenced. Manuscripts found to contain plagiarism during reviews will be rejected. If plagiarism is detected after publication, the journal reserves the right to correct or retract the article.

     

     

    Open Access Policy

    CEERATJSD is an open-access journal, offering free and unrestricted access to all content. Users may read, download, and use materials for lawful purposes without prior permission. Proper citation is required when referencing journal content, in line with the journal’s guidelines and the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial (CC by NC) license. Authors retain copyright of their work and may reuse it for legal purposes without seeking permission from the journal.

    Correction Policy

    Correction Policy of CEERATJSD Based on Journal Guidelines and Publication Ethics

    The main goal of CEERATJSD is to share knowledge in a clear and precise way, helping the academic community access reliable information. Research Mosaic is committed to providing accurate information and maintaining complete records to support researchers and readers alike.

    This journal outlines the publication process from the initial submission to the final publication. Once a manuscript is published, it appears in a specific volume and issue on the journal’s website, which can be easily accessed, read, downloaded, and shared through our open-access policy.

    Manuscript Proofreading and Accuracy
    CEERATJSD offers authors the opportunity to have their manuscripts proofread before the online version is released. This ensures that the content is accurate and free from errors. While the journal aims to minimize mistakes, minor corrections can be made even after publication at the discretion of the editorial team. These corrections help maintain the quality and integrity of the published research.

    Publication Ethics and Copyright
    CEERATJSD takes issues like plagiarism, copyright infringement, and violations of ethical guidelines very seriously. If any such issues are identified, the journal reserves the right to take necessary actions to correct the record, whether the issue occurred intentionally or unintentionally. Once published, all materials become the intellectual property of the journal, which ensures the accuracy and integrity of the content for the benefit of the academic community.

    By following these procedures, CEERATJSD strives to provide a smooth publication experience, supporting authors in sharing their research effectively and helping readers access high-quality, reliable information.

     

    Artificial Intelligence Policy

    CEERATJSD recognizes the value of artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential to support authors in the research and writing process. We welcome the use of AI tools to help generate ideas, speed up research, analyse findings, improve language, or organize a manuscript.

    Large language models (LLMs) and other generative AI tools can make research and writing faster and more efficient. However, they cannot replace human creativity, critical thinking, and judgment.

    Our journal follows Elsevier’s guidelines on the ethical use of AI technology. These policies help authors, reviewers, and editors use AI responsibly while maintaining the quality and integrity of research.

    For more information, please refer to Elsevier's Generative AI policies for journals.

     

    Complaint and Misconduct Policy

    CEERAT Journal of Society and Development (CEERATJSD) – Complaints and Misconduct Policy

    Complaints Policy
    CEERATJSD welcomes complaints as opportunities to improve and is committed to responding quickly and constructively.

    What is a Complaint?
    A complaint is more than a simple disagreement with a decision or publication. It occurs when someone believes there has been a failure in the journal’s process, such as:

    • Unacceptable delays
    • Rude or inappropriate responses
    • Serious misjudgments

    Complaints must relate to matters under the editorial responsibility of CEERATJSD, such as content or editorial processes.

    How to Submit a Complaint

    • All complaints will be acknowledged.
    • Complaints should be emailed to nazirkhan730@gmail.com.
    • The editorial team member who receives the complaint will handle it wherever possible. If they cannot, the complaint will be referred to the Editor-in-Chief.
    • If the complainant is still not satisfied, the issue can be escalated to the Editor-in-Chief, whose decision is final.
    • A final response will be provided within two weeks whenever possible. If more time is needed, an interim response will be sent every two weeks until the complaint is resolved.

    Handling Misconduct
    CEERATJSD promotes best practices among researchers, authors, reviewers, and editors and takes allegations of misconduct seriously.

    • The Editor can be contacted at editor@ceeratjsd.com regarding misconduct.
    • Misconduct may include issues that affect the reliability or attribution of published work, such as fabrication or plagiarism.
    • Evidence supporting allegations (e.g., overlapping publications or plagiarism) should be provided wherever possible.
    • Based on investigations, corrections or retractions may be issued to maintain the integrity of the journal.

    Authors and reviewers are strongly advised to read and strictly follow the journal’s publication ethics guidelines, which are available on the journal website.

    Conflict of Interest Policy

    CEERATJSD is committed to ensuring the disclosure of competing interests in published manuscripts. The author(s) may have a potential conflict of interests that could affect or be seen to affect their manuscript. Therefore, the author(s) must declare a conflict-of-interest statement during the manuscript submission, enabling a written statement to be recorded within the paginated published article. A potential conflicting interest might arise from the relationships, allegiances, or hostilities to particular groups, organizations, or interests, which may influence excessively one’s judgments or actions. The issue is particularly sensitive when such interests are private and/or may result in personal gain. Examples of conflicts of interest might include, but are not limited to, receiving fees for consulting, receiving research funding, being employed by a related company holding stocks or shares in a company that might be affected by the manuscript, or having received funds or reimbursement for attending a related symposium or talk. If there are other interests that the reasonable reader might feel have affected the research, the author(s) must declare it at least before acceptance of the manuscript. The manuscripts are evaluated relatively and accepted when competing interests are not declared until necessary by the policy. The editorial team does not expect details of the financial arrangements to be disclosed when a competing interest is declared. The author(s) must check the Manuscript Submission Guidelines to ensure compliance with the specific requirements needed by the journal. The author(s) are required to certify at a particular stage that:

    1. All forms of financial support are given due acknowledgment in the contribution.
    2. Any commercial or financial involvement that might present a conflict of interest related to the contribution is recorded during submission.
    3. Any potential conflict of interest shall be discussed with the Editor to decide whether its information will be disclosed in the manuscript.
    4. The author(s) did not sign any agreement with any sponsor of the research submitted to the journal that prevents the author(s) from publishing both positive and negative results or that forbids the author(s) from publishing the research without prior approval of the sponsor.
    5. The author(s) have checked the manuscript submission guidelines for a Declaration of Conflicting Interests requirement and have complied with specified requirements.

    The author(s) must include such a declaration at the end of the manuscript after any acknowledgments and before the Funding Acknowledgement, Notes (if relevant), and References under the heading ‘Declaration of Conflicting Interest.’ If no conflict exists, please state that ‘The Author(s) declare(s) that there is no conflict of interest’. The same obligations apply to the editors or guest editors writing an editorial that will be published in the journal and to the peer reviewers, where applicable.

     

    CEERATJSD – Licensing Policy

    All articles published in CEERATJSD are Open Access under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). This means anyone can use, share, or reproduce the work in any format, as long as the original authors and source are properly credited.

    Readers and users are free to read, download, distribute, or display the articles while giving proper attribution to the authors. Authors are encouraged to understand the different Creative Commons licenses to know how their work can be used. Always check the licensing information provided with each article to understand the terms of use.

     

    Advertising Policy

    CEERATJSD welcomes advertisements that align with the journal’s mission to promote high-quality academic research in law, social sciences, and related fields. Advertising opportunities are available to organizations, institutions, and companies engaged in academia, research, education, publishing, and other relevant sectors.

    All advertisements must meet the ethical standards of the academic community and comply with applicable national and international laws. Content should be accurate, truthful, and free from any discriminatory, offensive, or misleading material. The journal reserves the right to review, reject, or remove any advertisement that is deemed inappropriate or inconsistent with its values.

    Advertising in CEERATJSD does not imply endorsement of the products, services, or organizations being advertised. The editorial process remains entirely independent of advertising to maintain the integrity and objectivity of the journal’s content. Advertisements will be clearly distinguished from editorial material to prevent confusion for readers.

    CEERATJSD also reserves the right to cancel any advertising order if payment is overdue by more than thirty days or if the advertiser becomes subject to bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings.

    For advertising inquiries, please contact the editorial office to discuss available options and terms.