Publication Guidelines and Policies

First: About the Journal
The Journal of Social and Human Sciences is a peer-reviewed, biannual academic journal issued by the Research and Consultation Center at the University of Misurata. It aims to publish original scholarly research in various fields of the humanities, in both Arabic and English. The journal also seeks to promote scientific research on sustainable social, cultural, and economic issues and to support researchers from within Libya and abroad.

Second: Journal Objectives

  1. To publish research that contributes to the advancement of knowledge in the humanities.

  2. To encourage researchers to adhere to scientific research ethics.

  3. To support open access to knowledge.

Third: Publication Policy

  • The journal adopts a full open-access policy without imposing publication fees.

  • All published materials are available under the Creative Commons license (CC BY-NC).

Fourth: Publication Ethics Policy

  • The journal follows the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

  • All forms of plagiarism are strictly prohibited.

  • Submitted manuscripts are screened for plagiarism using Turnitin. Any paper exceeding the acceptable similarity threshold is automatically rejected.

  • Manuscripts with a similarity index exceeding 20%—excluding references and fixed terminology—will not be accepted.

  • Authors are required to disclose any conflicts of interest.

  • The journal employs a double-blind peer review system.

Fifth: Manuscript Acceptance Criteria

  • The manuscript must be original and not previously published.

  • References should be recent (preferably not older than 10 years).

  • Authors should use current and relevant citations, avoiding outdated sources unless historically or classically relevant to the field.

  • The methodology must be clear and the analysis must be of high quality.

  • The manuscript must align with the journal’s scope and specialization.

  • Authors must adhere to the formatting and submission guidelines.

Sixth: Submission Process

  1. Submit the manuscript through the journal’s online system or via email: (info@jsrhs.rcc.edu.ly).

  2. Ensure the manuscript meets all formatting requirements.

  3. The manuscript undergoes double-blind peer review.

  4. The review process takes between 3–6 weeks, and the author will be notified of the editorial decision along with reviewer reports.

  5. Authors will receive one of the following decisions: acceptance, rejection, or request for revisions.

Seventh: Manuscript Preparation Guidelines

  • Language: Arabic or English.

  • Font: Simplified Arabic (14 pt) or Times New Roman (12 pt).

  • Line spacing: Single.

  • Length: 10 to 30 pages, including tables, references, and appendices.

  • Structure: Title, Abstract (in Arabic and English), Keywords, Introduction, Theoretical Framework, Methodology, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, Recommendations, References.

  • The abstract (both Arabic and English) must include the research objectives, methodology, key findings, and keywords (3–6 words), and must not exceed 250 words.

  • Reference Style: APA (7th edition).

  • Tables and figures must be clearly formatted, sequentially numbered, and include source information below each item.

  • Scientific language and terminology must be used accurately and consistently. In Arabic manuscripts, any foreign term should be introduced in its original language in parentheses upon first mention.

  • Authors must adhere to the journal’s official manuscript template, available on the journal website. Submissions that do not follow the template will not be accepted.

  • Manuscripts must pass the plagiarism check.

Eighth: Correction and Retraction Policy

  • The journal allows for correction or retraction of published articles in accordance with COPE guidelines.

  • Articles may be retracted in cases of proven plagiarism or serious errors.

Ninth: Complaints Procedure

  • Complaints may be submitted via the official journal email.

  • The editorial board is committed to responding within 14 days.

This guide complements the policies published on the journal’s website and is intended to regulate the procedural aspects of manuscript preparation and submission.