Statement of Peer Review Policies

Type of Peer Review(s)

The journal follows a double-blind peer review model .The journal employs both internal (editorial) and external peer reviews. The identity of reviewers remains confidential to uphold the ethical integrity and scholarly standards of the journal. Reviewers adhere strictly to the peer review guidelines prescribed by the Kerala History Congress.

Review Process

All manuscripts undergo initial plagiarism following the technical review of the Editors. Those which are not original, have serious flaws, or are outside the aims and scope of the journal, or not written as per the journal's guidelines shall be rejected at this stage. The subsequent and more rigorous review is undertaken by external referees. Based on their reports, the editorial board either recommends the article for publication or ensures that the author incorporates the necessary revisions as suggested by the reviewers.

Special cases

Editors are excluded from publication decisions when they are authors or have contributed to a manuscript. In such instances, the review process and publication decision will be overseen by an alternate Editor.

Communications with authors

At each stage of the review process, authors will receive reasoned and constructive feedback regarding the editorial decisions on their manuscript.

 Conflicts of interest

Assigned Associate Editors and reviewers must disclose any potential conflicts of interest involving the manuscript under review, including competitive, collaborative, or other relevant associations with any authors, institutions, or sponsors. In such cases, they must inform the Editors and recuse themselves from the review process.

Confidentiality

All manuscripts received for review shall be treated as confidential. The privacy of both authors and reviewers involved in the peer-review process shall be strictly maintained.

Appeals

Appeals against editorial decisions must be submitted with a formal letter presenting detailed, point-by-point justification. Appeals are entertained only on the basis of (i) potential technical errors in the review, (ii) emergence of new data or information post-submission, and (iii) evidence indicating a possible conflict of interest among reviewers. Appeals must be lodged within 14 days of the editorial decision.

Only one appeal is permitted per manuscript. The Editor-in-Chief shall consult the editorial board and, where necessary, seek input from the Advisory Board. The Editor-in-Chief’s decision is final.

Appeal letters must be addressed to the Editor-in-Chief and sent to the editorial office (keralahc@gmail.com)

Policy on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Submissions 

The Proceedings of the Kerala History Congress mandates explicit disclosure of any substantive engagement with artificial intelligence in the conception, composition, or refinement of manuscripts. AI must not be employed to fabricate, falsify, or distort evidence, nor to compromise the scholarly rigour of the work. Full accountability for the accuracy, authenticity, and intellectual integrity of the submission rests exclusively with the author. Failure to comply will result in immediate rejection of the manuscript and will be deemed a grave violation of academic ethics.

Statement of Publication Ethics

Editor in Chiefs Responsibilities

Exercise overall editorial oversight;

Serve as the primary liaison between the author/s and the Kerala History Congress;

Act as the final appellate authority on editorial matters.

Duties of Publication Desk

Comprising the Chief Editor, Editor, Associate Editor, and Publisher, the Publication Desk ensures:

Consider submission of articles accompanied by plagiarism checks;

Conduct Initial editorial technical review;

Receipt and documentation of peer-review reports from referees prior to final publication decisions.

Duties of the Editor

Compose editorial notes aligned with the thematic structure of each issue, articulating the journal’s intellectual stance;

Conduct initial evaluation of submitted manuscripts, ensuring objectivity and non-discrimination with regard to race, gender, religion, nationality, or ideological affiliation.

Duties of the Associate Editor

Safeguard the confidentiality of all submitted manuscripts;

Verify originality and ensure the absence of copyright violations;

Support the Editor in the initial review and selection process;

Forward referee-approved articles to the Publication Desk;

Communicate review feedback to authors;

Manage all correspondence with contributors, referees, and institutional stakeholders;

Act as Editor in instances of absence or incapacity.

Duties of Peer Reviewers

Evaluate manuscripts based on established academic standards;

Assess relevance, originality, research methodology, and contribution to the field;

Ensure clarity of language, syntax, and scholarly rigour;

Provide detailed commentary and constructive critique, including grammatical and structural observations.

Duties of the Publisher

The Secretary of the Kerala History Congress shall function as the ex-officio Publisher;

Allocate financial resources for all journal-related activities;

Facilitate internal audit and ensure fiscal transparency.