Review Processes

Review, Mentorship, & Revision Processes

Each submission type will be vetted in a way that maintains the integrity and quality of Majāl publications while prioritizing student learning. Every submission type involves discipline-specific formal review, revision and and reflection. Independent research submissions and course-based projects follow a traditional peer-review process combined with mentoring and in-house support. 

Expert Review: At least two experts in an academic specialty appropriate to each submission will offer a review for student research manuscripts. These scholars are drawn from both the Qatar and Pittsburgh campuses, or in some cases outside the university. The Majāl editorial team provides the reviewers a mentor-oriented template for review to prioritize student growth and manuscript quality.

In-House Style Review: The Majāl editorial team provides in-house recommendations for undergraduate writing. Majāl is committed to the crucial rhetorical role communication plays in scholarly contribution and we codify this commitment through multiple style revision steps in all submission categories. When possible, we extend this step to include our CMU-Q Professional Writing Minor students, who then also receive valuable editing experience. 

Mentor Meetings: Each student author is assigned an faculty editor mentor and a student editor mentor. These mentors meet with the students to support their growth and learning in the process (faculty mentor) and guide the student through the logistical process and expectations of publication (student mentor). Each student will meet with their mentors throughout the publication process.

Reflection & Learning Report: Student authors in all three categories publish a reflection on their revision and publication experience to help them reflect on their own development and also to serve as a teaching tool for students and faculty who read their work.