Peer Review Policy
The Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer (KJSSF) is committed to maintaining high standards of scholarly publication through a fair, rigorous, and transparent peer review process. All submitted manuscripts are evaluated according to the journal’s scientific quality standards and ethical guidelines.
1. Initial Editorial Screening
All submitted manuscripts are initially screened by the Editorial Office and the Editor-in-Chief to determine whether the manuscript:
• Fits the aims and scope of the journal
• Meets the journal’s formatting requirements
• Demonstrates sufficient scientific quality and originality
• Complies with publication ethics and research integrity standards
Manuscripts that do not satisfy these criteria may be rejected without external review.
2. Double-Blind Peer Review
KJSSF adopts a double-blind peer review process. The identities of both authors and reviewers are kept confidential throughout the review process.
Manuscripts passing the initial screening are reviewed by at least two independent experts in the relevant research field.
Reviewers are asked to evaluate manuscripts based on the following criteria:
• Originality and scientific significance
• Methodological rigor and validity
• Clarity of presentation
• Relevance to the journal’s scope
• Contribution to the advancement of soil science, fertilizer, and agro-environmental studies
3. Reviewer Selection
Reviewers are selected by the editors based on their expertise academic background, and research achievements relevant to the manuscript topic.
Editors make efforts to avoid conflicts of interest when assigning reviewers.
4. Editorial Decision
Based on the reviewers’ comments and recommendations, the Editor-in-Chief makes the final decision regarding:
• Acceptance
• Minor revision
• Major revision
• Rejection
The editorial decision is made independently and objectively to ensure academic quality and integrity.
5. Confidentiality and Ethical Standards
Editors and reviewers must maintain confidentiality throughout the peer review process and must not disclose or use unpublished information for personal advantage.
All editors, reviewers, and authors are expected to comply with the journal’s Publication Ethics Policy and the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
6. Publication Ethics
KJSSF follows the ethical standards and best practices recommended by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
The journal does not tolerate:
• Plagiarism
• Data fabrication or falsification
• Duplicate publication
• Improper authorship
• Undisclosed conflicts of interest
Any suspected ethical misconduct will be investigated according to the journal’s ethical procedures and COPE guidelines.
Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
