About the Journal

Aims & Scope

The IAFOR Journal of the Social Sciences publishes original, peer-reviewed articles that contribute to the theoretical basis as well as practical basis on all aspects of social sciences. Original articles submitted related to social science by academic researchers, professionals, theorists, practicing teachers, policy makers are welcome. Fields covered by the IAFOR Journal of the Social Sciences include economics, finance, management, marketing, international business, international relations, public policy, anthropology, communication studies, education, history, geography, linguistics, political science, psychology and sociology. This journal also publishes interdisciplinary research on political economy, geopolitical issues, behavioral finance, international institutions and other related areas. The journal is international in scope, with no preference for any specific country or geographic location. The journal provides a way for academics, policymakers and members of the business community to exchange views and share information and research about emerging markets.

Please note that papers already submitted to or published in IAFOR Conference Proceedings are not accepted for publication in any of IAFOR’s journals.

All papers are reviewed equally according to standard peer review processes, regardless of whether or not the authors have attended a related IAFOR conference. This journal may publish special issues, depending on the number of submissions related to one particular topic.


Submission Fee

There is no submission fee for the IAFOR Journal of the Social Sciences. Like all IAFOR publications, it is freely available to read online, authors and contributors are not required to pay charges of any sort towards the publication of IAFOR journals.


Editorial & Peer Review Process

All articles in the IAFOR Journal of the Social Sciences have undergone rigorous peer review, based on initial screening by an editor and anonymised refereeing by at least two anonymous referees.

The IAFOR Journal of the Social Sciences practices double-blind peer review. The review process has four stages:

  1. Administrative checking (the Editorial Office makes sure that all information needed for processing the submission further was provided and complies with the Author Guidelines);
  2. Primary checking of an anonymous submission, involving an assessment of its suitability for publication (based on the quality of language, compatibility with the Journal aims and scopes, evidence of research, and sufficiency of references to the international literature), performed by a member of the Editorial Board chosen based on the topic of submission;
  3. Thorough review of the anonymous submission with respect to its scientific soundness by two anonymous reviewers, who may be members of the Editorial Board or external expert reviewers in the relevant field, for in-depth peer review;
  4. Proofreading and checking whether the article is written in compliance with the Author Guidelines.

The Editor and Associate Editor take steps to ensure that the manuscript is completely anonymised. Reviewers must fill out a review form and may also use Word to add corrections and suggestions to the submitted manuscript. Reviewer comments must be objective and provided with the aim of helping authors improve their article. Reviewers are requested to return their review in 3 to 4 weeks. The editorial process may take more time when the editorial team is preparing for the publication of a new issue.