Policy Document

International Bulletin of History and Social Science (IBHSS)

  1. Journal Identity and Governance

Journal Title: International Bulletin of History and Social Science (IBHSS)
Journal Type: Peer-Reviewed Academic Research Journal
Access Model: Open Access
Publication Frequency: Biannual
Discipline: History, Social Sciences, and Interdisciplinary Studies
Publisher: Sir Asif Educational Research Institute

IBHSS operates under a clearly defined editorial and ethical governance structure in accordance with international best practices.

  1. Aims and Scope

IBHSS aims to publish original, methodologically sound, and impactful research that advances scholarly understanding of historical and social phenomena at national, regional, and global levels.The journal encourages:

  • Empirical and theoretical research
  • Comparative and interdisciplinary approaches
  • Global and regional perspectives
  • Policy-relevant and socially meaningful scholarship

      Subject Coverage

  • History (Ancient to Contemporary)
  • Political Science and Governance
  • Sociology and Social Theory
  • International Relations
  • Anthropology and Cultural Studies
  • Media, Communication, and Society
  • Gender, Religion, and Society
  • Peace, Conflict, and Development Studies
  1. Editorial Board Policy
  • The Editorial Board consists of qualified scholars
  • Members are drawn from national and international institutions, ensuring geographic and intellectual diversity.
  • Editorial roles and responsibilities are clearly defined.
  • Editorial decisions are independent of the publisher.
  1. Peer Review Policy

     IBHSS follows a double-blind peer review process.

      Peer Review Process

  1. Initial screening by the editorial team.
  2. Manuscript anonymization.
  3. Review by at least two independent reviewers.
  4. Review criteria include:
    • Originality
    • Scholarly contribution
    • Methodology
    • Ethical compliance
    • Clarity and coherence
  5. Final decision based on reviewers’ reports and editorial judgment.

   All review procedures are documented and transparent.

  1. Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

   IBHSS adheres strictly to the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines.

    Ethical Principles

  • Zero tolerance for plagiarism, data fabrication, and falsification.
  • Ethical approval required for research involving human subjects.
  • Proper acknowledgment of all sources and contributors.
  • Transparent disclosure of conflicts of interest.
  1. Plagiarism Policy

      All manuscripts are checked using recognized plagiarism detection software.

  • Acceptable similarity index:
    • Overall similarity: ≤ 19%
    • Single source: ≤ 5%
  • Manuscripts exceeding limits are rejected or returned for revision.
  1. Open Access Policy

     IBHSS is a fully open-access journal.

  • Immediate access to all published content.
  • No embargo period.
  • Readers are not charged any subscription or access fees.

      This policy ensures equitable access to scholarly knowledge worldwide.

  1. Copyright and Licensing
  • Authors retain copyright of their work.
  • Articles are published under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license.
  • This allows reuse, distribution, and reproduction with proper attribution.
  1. Article Processing Charges (APCs) Transparency
  • IBHSS clearly declares its APC policy on its website.
  • If APCs are applied, they are:
    • Transparent
    • Reasonable
    • Waivable for deserving authors, where applicable
  • No hidden or post-acceptance charges.
  1. Archiving and Digital Preservation Policy

     IBHSS ensures long-term content preservation through:

  • Institutional repositories
  • Digital journal archiving systems
  • Regular data backups

    This ensures permanent accessibility and academic record integrity.

  1. Retraction, Correction, and Withdrawal Policy

     In line with COPE standards:

  • Corrections are issued for minor errors.
  • Retractions are published in cases of serious ethical breaches.
  • Expressions of Concern may be issued during investigations.

      All notices remain permanently linked to the original article.

  1. Conflict of Interest Policy

     Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any:

  • Financial interests
  • Institutional affiliations
  • Personal relationships

    that could influence editorial or scholarly judgment.

  1. Privacy and Data Protection Policy
  • Personal data of authors, reviewers, and editors is used solely for journal operations.
  • No data is shared with third parties without explicit consent.
  • The journal complies with international data protection norms.
  1. Diversity, Equity, and Non-Discrimination Policy

      IBHSS promotes:

  • Academic diversity
  • Gender and regional inclusion
  • Non-discrimination based on race, religion, nationality, or political views

       Editorial decisions are based solely on academic merit.

  1. Disclaimer

      The views expressed in published articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of IBHSS, its editors, or publisher.

  1. Policy Review and Compliance Statement

This policy is:

  • Reviewed periodically
  • Updated in accordance with:
    • HEC Journal Recognition Criteria
    • Scopus CSAB standards
    • DOAJ Principles of Transparency

International Bulletin of History and Social Science (IBHSS),Committed to Ethical Publishing, Academic Excellence, and Global Knowledge Dissemination