Peer Review and Evaluation Process
Peer Review Policy
Only submissions under the section Critical Research and Theoretical Contributions undergo double-blind peer review.
All manuscripts in this category are subject to a rigorous review process to ensure the quality, integrity, and relevance of the content we publish.
Initial Editorial Assessment
Upon submission, manuscripts are first reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief and/or members of the editorial team to assess alignment with the journal’s scope, scholarly standards, and ethical policies. Submissions that do not meet minimum requirements—such as adherence to submission guidelines, originality, or academic rigor—will be returned to the author with suggestions for revision and resubmission. Initial assessments are conducted anonymously by at least two editorial members.
Double-Blind Peer Review
Manuscripts that pass the initial editorial screening are sent for double-blind peer review by at least two experts, including at least one external to the editorial board. Authors and reviewers remain anonymous throughout the process.
Reviewer Criteria
Reviewers are selected based on their recognized expertise in the manuscript’s subject area. They assess the following:
- Coherence and clarity of the argument
- Originality and significance to the field
- Methodological soundness
- Engagement with relevant literature
- Relevance to FWJ’s mission and scope
- Writing quality and organization
- Respect for Indigenous knowledge systems, including ethical representation and non-extractive approaches
Reviewers are expected to return evaluations within four weeks, recommending one of the following outcomes:
- Accept with no changes
- Accept with minor revisions
- Major revisions required
- Reject
Editorial Decision and Revisions
The editorial team considers reviewer recommendations and makes a decision. If necessary, a third reviewer may be consulted. Authors receive anonymized recommendations and, if revisions are requested, must respond within four weeks with a revised version and a document outlining how each point was addressed. Manuscripts requiring major revisions may be reassessed by the original reviewers.
Only manuscripts receiving two positive evaluations will be considered for publication. FWJ aims to provide a final decision within two months of submission, when possible.
This policy follows the COPE best practices and reflects FWJ’s commitment to ethical, inclusive, and rigorous scholarship.
The editorial team will review all peer reports and make a decision based on the consensus or, if needed, request a third review when opinions diverge. Authors are notified of the decision and provided with anonymous reviewer feedback.
If revisions are required, authors have up to four weeks to submit a revised version along with a document detailing how each reviewer's comment was addressed. Revised manuscripts requiring major changes may be returned to the original reviewers for further assessment.
FWJ aims to provide authors with a decision within two months of submission, whenever possible.
For reviewers, the detailed evaluation form used in our double-blind peer review process can be accessed here. This form guides reviewers in assessing manuscripts fairly and consistently according to FWJ’s standards and values.
Acceptance and Rejection Criteria
Manuscripts are evaluated for originality, relevance to the journal’s mission, methodological rigor (when applicable), clarity of argument, and contribution to Indigenous or Fourth World knowledge. Submissions may be rejected if they fall outside the scope, lack scholarly merit, or fail to meet ethical or quality standards.
Ethics statement and publication misconduct policy
At Fourth World Journal, we are committed to upholding ethical and responsible publishing practices, grounded in respect for Indigenous knowledge, community integrity, and academic rigor. While we draw on international standards, such as those of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), we also recognize that Indigenous knowledge systems may operate outside traditional academic norms, and we honor this.
We expect all contributors—authors, editors, and reviewers—to act with honesty, transparency, and fairness. We do not tolerate plagiarism, data manipulation, or any other form of academic misconduct. All submissions are evaluated based on their originality, relevance, and contribution to Indigenous thought and global justice, never on the identity, background, or beliefs of the author.
Editorial decisions are made independently and are not influenced by commercial, political, or institutional pressures. As a journal rooted in Indigenous rights and decolonial practice, we strive for a process that is accountable, inclusive, and guided by collective responsibility.
If concerns about ethics or misconduct arise, we are committed to listening and responding with care and due diligence.
Open Access Policy and Copyright License
The Fourth World Journal operates under a fully open-access model, providing free and unrestricted access to all published articles. This publication provides immediate open access to its content based on the principle that free public access to research fosters greater global knowledge exchange.
Copyright and License Information
Material published in the Fourth World Journal under Open Access is the original work of the author(s). The author(s) retain copyright and agree to license their work under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
Under this license, users may copy and distribute the material in any medium or format only for non-commercial purposes. Users must provide appropriate credit to the author(s), the Fourth World Journal, and the Center for World Indigenous Studies. The material may not be modified, adapted, or used for commercial purposes.
Description of the License:
The CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 License allows others to download and share the work as long as they:
– credit the original author(s),
– provide a link to the license,
– do not alter the material, and
– do not use it for commercial purposes.
Redistribution in original form for non-commercial use is permitted, but no derivative works (adaptations or modifications) may be created. Full license terms are available at the Creative Commons website.
Authors retain the right to revise, adapt, or republish their own work in other venues, including edited volumes or future publications, as long as proper citation to the original publication in the Fourth World Journal is included.
The material appearing in the Fourth World Journal is accepted on the basis that it is the original work of the author or authors. Authors agree to indemnify the Center for World Indigenous Studies, DayKeeper Press, and the Fourth World Journal for all damages, fines, and costs associated with a finding of copyright infringement by the author or by the Fourth World Journal in disseminating the author’s material.
Requests for Additional Permissions:
If you wish to use any content published in the Fourth World Journal in a way not permitted under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license—such as translations, inclusion in paid programs or educational platforms, or the use of specific images or excerpts—please complete this permission request form. All requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in articles published in the Fourth World Journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial team, the publisher, or affiliated institutions. The Fourth World Journal does not take responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or legal standing of the content provided by the authors.
Self-archiving policy
After the publication of their article, research note, or review, authors who have contributed to the Fourth World Journal (FWJ) may deposit their work in institutional repositories or personal academic networks. Authors retain the rights to their text and may enter into other non-exclusive agreements for self-archiving, provided that the platforms are open-access and free of subscription fees. The document must clearly state that it was initially published in the Fourth World Journal and include the volume, year, DOI, or a reference to the journal’s official website.
Digital preservation policy
The journal preserves its digital files through cloud-based platforms and physical backups, ensuring their security and accessibility. Additionally, the implementation of complementary long-term preservation strategies is under consideration, in line with international best practices and our commitment to providing permanent access to published content.