SUGGESTIVE PARAMETERS FOLLOWED

Guidelines for Journal Quality Assurance: Exemplified by Tamilmanam International Research Journal of Tamil Studies

Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) are committed to fostering high-quality research and ensuring its broad dissemination through reputable peer-reviewed journals. To support this objective, HEIs are encouraged to adopt clear parameters for evaluating journal suitability for their faculty’s diverse disciplinary needs. The following guidelines are provided as general benchmarks to ensure the quality, transparency, and relevance of peer-reviewed publications, using the Tamilmanam International Research Journal of Tamil Studies as an illustrative example.

1. Journal Preliminary Criteria

These criteria address the fundamental characteristics and operational policies of a journal.

  • Journal Identification: The journal is formally titled Tamilmanam International Research Journal of Tamil Studies (தமிழ்மணம் சர்வதேச தமிழ் ஆய்விதழ்) and holds an online ISSN of 3049-0723. It maintains a consistent monthly publication schedule, ensuring periodicity and continuity.
  • Contact and Publisher Information: The journal is published by Nallamuthu Gounder Mahalingam College, located at Pollachi 642001, Tamilnadu, India. For inquiries, the journal can be reached via email at ngmcollegelibrary@gmail.com or editor@tamilmanam.in, and by mobile at 9788175456.
  • Transparent Review Policy: Tamilmanam adheres to a strict double-blind peer review policy. Each submitted paper undergoes assessment by two independent subject matter experts who evaluate it based on the journal’s established standards and the research’s quality. Should revisions be required, the same reviewers are assigned to ensure the revised manuscript meets expectations. Reviewers are mandated to maintain objectivity, uphold the journal’s integrity, declare any conflicts of interest upon review completion, and encouraged to identify any relevant, uncited works. Confidentiality throughout the review process is paramount.
  • Online Presence and Accessibility: The journal is hosted on a secure and professionally managed website: https://tamilmanam.in. In line with its open-access policy, Tamilmanam grants users the freedom to search, read, download, copy, distribute, print, or link articles for all ethical purposes.
  • Indexing and Archival: Tamilmanam ensures its integration with national and international repositories, leveraging Crossref (DOI) for persistent digital object identification. The complete archival of all journal issues is maintained and accessible via the Internet Archive at https://archive.org/details/@vmaxveera. Further details on archival policies are available in the journal’s Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement.

2. Editorial Board and Review Process Criteria

These criteria focus on the expertise guiding the journal and the integrity of its content selection.

  • Editorial Board Details and Composition: The journal’s editorial team, comprising eminent academicians, scientists, and researchers with specialized subject expertise, is transparently detailed on the journal’s website: https://tamilmanam.in/editorial-team/. This section provides comprehensive information on their names, affiliations, and areas of expertise, underscoring the board’s professional and diverse composition.
  • Efficient Editorial and Publication Process: The journal implements a highly selective article selection policy. While it typically receives over a hundred submissions per cycle, it publishes only 20 to 30 original articles written exclusively in Tamil. The editor’s decisions regarding article selection are final.Important Note on English Submissions: Due to a significant influx of submissions from paper mills and AI-generated content, Tamilmanam explicitly does not accept or evaluate articles written in English; such submissions are considered rejected. In cases where malpractice or unethical behavior is suspected, the journal committee initiates an investigation and notifies the relevant higher authorities or research deans to take appropriate action against involved students, scholars, or faculty members, thereby discouraging academic misconduct.The journal prides itself on its efficient turnaround time, with the entire process from article acceptance through rigorous peer review to final publication typically completed within 1 to 7 days.

Tamilmanam International Journal of Tamil Studies: Editorial Policy and Quality Standards

This document outlines the editorial policies, scope, quality criteria, ethical guidelines, and visibility metrics for the Tamilmanam International Journal of Tamil Studies, providing a comprehensive guide for authors, reviewers, and academic institutions.

1. Aims, Objectives, and Scope of the Journal

The Tamilmanam International Journal of Tamil Studies is a prominent monthly, multilingual online publication dedicated to the global advancement and appreciation of Tamil studies. Published from India, the journal features content in both Tamil and English, serving as a vital platform for rigorous, peer-reviewed research across a broad spectrum of contemporary Tamil language and culture.

Core Focus Areas: The journal welcomes original research articles and book reviews that delve into traditional and modern aspects of Tamil studies. Its extensive scope encompasses, but is not limited to, the following fields:

  • Folk Arts and Temple Arts
  • Siddha Medicine
  • Linguistics and Literary Criticism
  • Tamil Literature (classical and contemporary)
  • Psychology and Feminism within Tamil contexts
  • Comparative Studies
  • Global Translation Literature
  • Art and Aesthetics
  • Grammar and Anthropology
  • Religion and Folklore
  • Archaeology
  • Computational Tamil and Natural Language Processing
  • Media Studies

By facilitating the exchange of ideas and expertise among researchers, academics, and students globally, Tamilmanam strives to make cutting-edge Tamil research accessible worldwide and serve as a key resource for scholarly engagement and citation.

2. Submission and Publication Logistics

  • Article Processing Charges (APC): Detailed information regarding Article Processing Charges (APC) can be found at https://tamilmanam.in/article-processing-charges-apc/.
  • Publishing Timeline: The journal is committed to efficient dissemination of research, aiming for a swift publishing timeline averaging 1-7 days from submission to publication, provided the article meets all quality and review criteria.
  • Acceptance Rate: Tamilmanam maintains a competitive yet accessible acceptance rate of approximately 60%, reflecting its commitment to publishing high-quality, relevant research.

3. Journal Quality and Content Criteria

To ensure the highest standards of academic excellence and reader value, all submissions to the Tamilmanam Journal undergo a rigorous evaluation process based on the following criteria:

  • Academic Contribution: Articles must demonstrate clear motivation, contribute significantly to existing knowledge, and, where applicable, offer insights for policymaking or practical application within Tamil studies.
  • Conformity to Journal Scope: Submissions are strictly required to align with the journal’s stated aims, objectives, and subject areas as outlined in Section 1.
  • Bibliographic Data & Literature Citation: All content must adhere to accurate and standardized referencing and citation practices.
  • Font & Design: The journal maintains professional layout standards to ensure optimal readability.
  • Infographics & Exhibits: High-quality visuals and supplementary materials are encouraged where relevant to enhance comprehension.
  • Online Availability: All full-text articles are made readily available online to maximize accessibility.
  • Quality of Website: The journal’s website is regularly updated, well-maintained, and designed for user-friendly navigation.
  • Multilingual Availability: Reflecting its Indian context, the journal strongly supports and promotes content in Indian languages, particularly Tamil, alongside English, enhancing its relevance and reach.

4. Research Ethics Policy

The Tamilmanam Journal upholds the highest ethical standards in scholarly publishing. All parties involved – authors, reviewers, and editorial board members – are expected to adhere strictly to these principles:

  • Ethical Guidelines for Authors: Authors must follow clear ethical publishing practices, including ensuring originality, proper attribution, and data integrity.
  • Plagiarism Prevention: A robust plagiarism prevention policy is enforced, with all submissions screened to ensure similarity scores do not exceed standard permissible limits.
  • Conflict of Interest Disclosure: Transparent disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest among governance, editorial board members, reviewers, and authors is mandatory.
  • AI-Generated Content Policy: The journal has a specific policy governing the responsible and transparent use of AI-generated content in submissions, requiring authors to disclose its integration.

5. Journal Visibility and Impact Criteria

The journal is committed to maximizing its scholarly impact and global visibility:

  • Indexation in Reputable Databases: Active efforts are made to ensure inclusion in renowned academic databases to enhance discoverability and reach.
  • Impact Factor: While specific impact factors may vary, the journal continually strives for strong scholarly resonance and increased citation.
  • Cite Score: The journal monitors its Cite Score to assess its citation impact over specific periods, benchmarking against peer-reviewed journals.
  • Self-Citation Score: Efforts are made to keep the journal’s self-citation score within a prescribed, healthy range comparative to peer journals, ensuring organic growth of impact.
  • Total Citation Rate: The journal’s total citation rate is regularly assessed and benchmarked against similar peer-reviewed journals to gauge its overall influence.

Recommendations for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are encouraged to utilize these comprehensive parameters to inform their academic and research strategies:

  • Informed Journal Selection: Faculty members and students can leverage these detailed guidelines to select peer-reviewed journals that are specifically tailored to their disciplines and research focus areas for publishing their scholarly work.
  • Internal Review Committees: HEIs may establish or refine internal committee(s) to periodically assess and fine-tune these suggested parameters. This ensures ongoing alignment with the institution’s academic and research goals and the continuous maintenance of high-quality standards in scholarly output.