The journal is a double-blind, peer-reviewed publication published twice a year in May and November, available both in print and online.
Language
The Journal of the Institute for Sufi Studies (JISS) accepts articles in Turkish and English.
Instructions for Authors
Journal of the Institute for Sufi Studies (JISS) Scope The Journal of the Institute for Sufi Studies of Uskudar University is focused on the thought, history and literature of Sufism, including research and articles about the philosophical, social, cultural, anthropological, and artistic aspects of these topics.
Purpose
The Journal aims to contribute to the academic field of Islamic Studies through a focus on Sufi Studies, while also bringing forward Ottoman Sufi thought and Sufi perspectives on Islamic civilization. At the same time, through an interdisciplinary approach, the Journal aims to expand the accepted bounds of disciplines by providing the opportunity for the various fields to work together when thinking of the myriad topics related to Islamic and Sufi Studies.
Submission Types
The work that is sent to the Journal must be no more than 8000 words, excluding the references (bibliography) section. The work that is sent is first evaluated based on its adherence to the publication rules by the journal secretariat. It is then evaluated by the Editorial Board in terms of its purpose, topic, content, presentation and writing style. All submitted work is expected to fit the basic criteria listed below:
a) An original work that has not been done before
b) Prepared using current methods
b) Contributing to its field by presenting new concepts and methods
c) Advanced scientific competence
d) Clearly expresses the methodological foundation on which it is built
e) Allows for different perspectives and thoughts
f) Productive enough to open the path for further work on its field and topic

1. Research Paper

This is the most common article type where data obtained from an original study is presented in a detailed manner. It is composed of sections such as hypothesis, method, result, data analysis and discussion. It is preferred that the work be not less than 5000 words. The article is evaluated through a blind review process.

2. Compilation and Literature Review Articles

These are articles written by way of reading, evaluating, and commenting through comparative analysis on findings presented in a sufficient number of scientific studies already done. It is recommended that the work be no longer than 5000 words. The article is evaluated through a blind review process.

3. Conference & Symposium Proceedings

These are works prepared for the purpose of presenting specific academic topics in its myriad dimensions at national or international academic meetings arranged to bring together experts of the field. In particular, translations into Turkish of these proceedings will be included. It is recommended that the work be no longer than 4000 works. Submissions in this category are evaluated by the Editorial Board.

4. Book Reviews

Book reviews introduce works such as a compilation, a monograph, scientific meeting, or article, and then engage in constructive criticism of the topic at hand as well as the work in which it is presented. It is recommended that the work be no longer than 1500 words. Submissions in this category are evaluated by the Editorial Board.

5. Other Original or Compilation Articles/Writings

Original or compilation articles that have not been published elsewhere may be published in the Journal following an evaluation by the Editorial Board without being sent for blind review. Essays by experts of the field, specific topics, and writings on the areas of interest and academic activities of the Institute for Sufi Studies may be considered within this category.

Editorial Policies
1. Blind Review
The Journal of the Institute for Sufi Studies (JISS) is a double-blind peer reviewed research journal and academic publication.

2. Authorship
An article’s writer or writers are referred to as “author”. In articles with more than one article, one author will be nominated as the one responsible for ordering the authors and other matters. In articles based on masters’ and doctorate theses, the author of the thesis is qualified as the first author, and the thesis advisor is the second author. If there are any persons or institutions that have provided technical or monetary help or support in data accumulation, they should be mentioned in the last part of the work. Authors must mention all conflicts of interest with regards to the work they provide to the journal.

3. Evaluation of Submissions
Submissions are evaluated by the Editorial Board. The pre-assessment of the work submitted to the journal is finalized within 7 days. As a result of this initial assessment, in case of necessity, the author is given an additional 15 days to complete any corrections requested. Works that are found to be in line with publication criteria are evaluated based on their category of publication. Research articles and compilation/literature review articles are subject to the blind peer review process. The work is sent to two experts of the relevant field. In case of no differences in the opinions of the reviewers, the author is given 21 days to complete any changes/corrections requested by the reviewers. In case there is a difference in the opinions of the reviewers, a third reviewer will be consulted. Any additional time requests from reviewers will also be taken into account.

The author/s must engage with any and all correction, recommendation and critique offered by the reviewers and the editor. In case of disagreements, the author must provide a written explanation with justifications provided.

Publication Policies
1. Publication Ethics
It is expected that all parties involved in the publication of the journal, including the writers, editors and reviewers, will behave according to rules of publication ethics. In order to ensure compliance with ethical standards, Uskudar University adheres to the international ethics set out by COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) in all processes. For the ethical values mentioned: https://publicationethics.org/resources/guidelines-new/principlestransparency-and-best-practice-scholarly-publishing
The submission period begins with the work being sent to the Journal of the Institute for Sufi Studies(JISS) for publication. The Journal’s authorized body reserves the right to make changes to the text of the work and to publish or not publish the work.

Author
Authorship: Authors must have made a demonstrable contribution to the thought, design and interpretation of the work submitted. In cases of contribution in other manners, this contribution should be clearly explained. In works with multiple authors, the designated author must affirm with the work’s other authors that they approve the final version of the work and that it has been sent to the journal for publication.
Originality: Authors must send original works that have not been previously published. Sources and references used in the work must be clearly and completely indicated. The author is fully responsible for ensuring this.
Copyright and Conflict of Interest: Authors must indicate the financial support they have benefited from and any other potential conflict interest. All sources of financial support must be clearly indicated. Authors must not submit the same work for publication in multiple journals.
Participation in the blind peer review and editorial process: Authors are expected to cooperate with the editorial board during the blind-review and editorial processes. Where necessary, authors will need to incorporate the changes requested to their work in a timely manner and also approve the final version of the work prior to its publication. In order to ensure anonymity, the author must not include any information that might disclose their identity in the body of the work.
Honesty: Authors must ensure accuracy throughout the entirety of their work. It is expected for any mistakes that were initially missed to be corrected. These corrections are published separately and a note is made on the original work that corrections have been done. For more serious problems and misappropriation (such as plagiarism), the original work will be removed.

Reviewer
Competence: Reviewers must be experts in their respective fields. They must have attained at least a PhD degree or have a senior academic title. They are expected to have prior publications in the field of review. The reviewer that has been chosen who feels that they cannot do justice to the task or that they will not be able to complete it in a timely manner should inform the editor and withdraw from the review.
Copyright and Conflict of Interest: In cases of potential conflicts of interest, the reviewers must inform the Editorial Board. Reviewers should not have engaged in partnered work with authors applying to the journal in the previous five years.
Contributions to Editorial Evaluations: Reviewers support the Editorial Board and contribute to the author improving their work. The reviewer’s responsibility in this matter is to determine the originality and importance of the work in its field and any relevant references that the author may have missed
Principles of Objectivity: The review process should be carried out in a respectful and objective manner. There is no allowance for a personal critique of the author. Reviewers must explain their comments with justifications.
Confidentiality: The work that is sent to the reviewer is regarded as being confidential. It is strictly forbidden for the work to be shared with any person or institutions that has not been authorized by the Editorial Board.

Editorial Board
Editor in Chief (Administrative Editor): Responsible for all journal activities.
Editors: The Journal has four editors and two assistant editors. All publication processes are carried out by editors.
The editors are responsible for evaluating the works that are submitted to the journal twice a year. The editorial board ensures compliance with principles such as blind review and evaluation processes as well as ethical principles while also carrying out publication policies. By also encouraging academic integrity, it regulates any potential plagiarism situations prior to the publication stage. The editorial board is the journal’s publication board; it is the reviewer’s decision that is taken into account when considering the publication of research articles and compilation/literature review articles whose double-blind peer review process have been completed. The Editorial Board evaluates and decides the submissions in the other categories that are not subject to the double-blind peer review process.
Determining Misconduct: the Editorial Board is responsible for evaluating allegations of plagiarism and misuse before, during, or after publication. The Editorial Board will not ignore any case of misuse, does not encourage it, nor knowingly allow it. If a case of misuse is found during the submission or publication period, the author is informed and the work is retracted. If only small mistakes are found, the corrections will be made in the online journal, while the correct print version will be published in the next volume.
Participation in auditing: Editors are responsible for evaluating and taking the necessary steps for ethical concerns/complaints brought against any submitted or published works.
Confidentiality: The Editorial Board does not share the information of a submitted work with third persons except for the author of the work, the reviewers, potential reviewers, the editorial board, editorial consultants and publishers.
Copyright and Conflict of Interest: Material that is used in a submitted work that has not yet been published may not be used in the personal work of an editor without the express written permission of the author. Privileged information or ideas received as part of the blind peer review process must remain confidential and must not be used for personal gain.

Advisory Board
Advisory Board: formed from experts in their respective fields. In cases of need, the Editorial Board may request academic consultation from Advisory Board members during the publication process. Advisory Board members will help with the matter at hand in accordance with their expertise.