Journal Policies

JOURNAL POLICIES

Frequency of the Journal

The Pakistan Journal of Positive Psychology follows a quarterly publication frequency, releasing four issues each year. This schedule ensures a consistent and timely dissemination of high-quality research, allowing scholars and practitioners to stay updated on emerging developments in the field of positive psychology.

Peer Review Policy and Review of Article

The Pakistan Journal of Positive Psychology follows a rigorous double-blind peer-review process to ensure the highest standards of academic integrity and scholarly excellence. All submitted manuscripts are first screened by the editorial team for relevance, originality, and adherence to journal guidelines. Suitable submissions are then sent to at least two independent expert reviewers, who evaluate the manuscript’s theoretical contribution, methodological soundness, ethical compliance, and overall quality. Authors receive constructive feedback and may be asked to revise their work before a final decision is made. The journal maintains strict confidentiality throughout the review process, ensuring anonymity of both authors and reviewers. Decisions regarding acceptance, revision, or rejection are made objectively based on reviewers’ evaluations and the editorial board’s judgment. The journal is committed to transparency, fairness, and timely processing of manuscripts to support high-quality research in the field of positive psychology.

Originality and Plagiarism Policy

This journal strictly prohibits plagiarism in all its forms, including the unauthorized use of others' ideas, words, or data without proper attribution. Manuscripts are screened for plagiarism using advanced detection software. If plagiarism is detected, the journal will take appropriate action, ranging from rejection of the manuscript to retraction of published articles. Authors bear full responsibility for the originality of their work and must adhere to strict citation guidelines.

Subscription Details

The Pakistan Journal of Positive Psychology offers annual subscriptions for both print and online formats to facilitate broad access for researchers, practitioners, and institutions. Subscribers receive two issues per year, along with online access to archived volumes. Individual subscribers can obtain the journal at an affordable annual rate, while institutional subscriptions are available at a slightly higher fee to support library and departmental access. International subscribers may incur additional postal charges depending on their location. Payments can be made through bank transfer or demand draft to the journal’s official account, and confirmation of subscription is provided via email upon receipt. For subscription inquiries or assistance, interested individuals may contact the Editorial Office through the journal’s official email address.

Ethical guidelines

Publication ethics are the moral principles and standards that guide the behavior of all parties involved in the publication process, including authors, editors, reviewers, and publishers. These ethics ensure the integrity, accuracy, and reliability of published research.  

Key principles of publication ethics include:

• Originality and Authorship: Research must be original and contributions of all authors clearly defined.
• Plagiarism and Self-Plagiarism: Avoiding the appropriation of others' work without proper citation and preventing the reuse of one's own work without disclosure.
• Data Integrity and Reporting: Accurate representation of data, methods, and results.
• Conflicts of Interest: Disclosing any potential conflicts of interest that might influence research or publication.  
• Peer Review: Fair and unbiased evaluation of submitted manuscripts.  
• Multiple Submissions: Avoiding simultaneous submission of the same manuscript to multiple journals.  
• Publication Misconduct: Addressing allegations of misconduct, such as fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism.  

Adherence to publication ethics is crucial for maintaining the credibility and reputation of a research journal. Violations of these ethics can have serious consequences, including retraction of articles, damage to careers, and loss of trust in the scientific community.

Privacy Statement

The Pakistan Journal of Positive Psychology is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of all its contributors, reviewers, and readers. Any personal information collected during manuscript submission, registration, or communication with the journal is used solely for the purpose of managing submissions, peer review, publication processes, and related correspondence. The journal does not share, sell, or disclose personal data to third parties without explicit consent, except where required by law. All electronic records are stored securely, and measures are taken to prevent unauthorized access. By interacting with the journal, users acknowledge and consent to the collection and use of their information in accordance with this privacy policy.

Publication Policy

The journal adheres to rigorous standards of academic integrity. Submitted manuscripts must represent original work and comply with ethical guidelines. The peer review process ensures quality and objectivity. Authors retain copyright but grant the journal publication rights. Open access or subscription models may apply. The journal is committed to data sharing and transparency. Violations of publication ethics, including plagiarism and misconduct, will result in appropriate actions, such as rejection or retraction.

Deadlines and Publication Process

The Pakistan Journal of Positive Psychology (PJPP) follows a structured publication process to ensure the quality and integrity of its articles. Authors are required to submit their manuscripts through the journal’s online submission system, providing all necessary documentation including authorship details, contributions, and signed consent forms from all co-authors to confirm their agreement with the submission. Once submitted, the manuscript undergoes an initial editorial screening for relevance, formatting, and originality, followed by a peer-review process typically lasting 4–6 weeks, during which experts evaluate the quality, methodology, and contribution of the research. Based on reviewer feedback, the paper may be accepted, revised, or rejected. After acceptance, the paper proceeds to the publication stage, including copyediting, formatting, and proofing, with the total timeline from submission to online publication usually ranging from 8–12 weeks, depending on revisions and scheduling. Throughout the process, clear communication regarding deadlines, revisions, and publication schedules is maintained with the authors to ensure timely and ethical dissemination of research in the field of positive psychology.

Disclosure and Conflict of Interest

The Pakistan Journal of Positive Psychology requires all authors to provide a complete disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest to ensure transparency and uphold the integrity of the research published. Authors must clearly state any financial, institutional, personal, or professional relationships that could be perceived to influence the research outcomes, interpretations, or conclusions. If no conflicts exist, authors should explicitly declare that they have no competing interests. The journal also expects reviewers and editors to disclose any potential conflicts before participating in the evaluation process to maintain an unbiased and ethical review system. These disclosure requirements help guarantee that the journal remains a credible, trustworthy, and ethically responsible platform for disseminating scholarly work in the field of positive psychology.

Correction and Retraction Policy

The Pakistan Journal of Positive Psychology upholds strict academic integrity and ensures transparency in its publication process through a well-defined Correction and Retraction Policy. If errors are identified in published articles—whether reported by authors, reviewers, or readers—the journal issues corrections in the form of errata or corrigenda, depending on whether the mistake originated from the editorial team or the authors. In cases where findings are proven unreliable due to misconduct, plagiarism, data fabrication, unethical research practices, or serious methodological flaws, the journal follows international publishing standards to retract or withdraw the article. Retractions are clearly marked, permanently accessible, and linked to the original paper to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record. The journal may also issue expressions of concern when an investigation is ongoing. This policy ensures that all published work remains credible, ethically compliant, and aligned with the journal’s commitment to high-quality scientific research.