Reviewer Guidelines

Manuscripts submitted to Al-'Adad: Journal of Mathematics Education will undergo an initial screening by the Editorial Board to ensure thematic relevance and alignment with the journal’s objectives and scope, compliance with the author guidelines and journal template, and adherence to academic writing standards. Manuscripts that pass this initial review will be forwarded to reviewers for substantive evaluation. Reviewers are asked to provide objective, critical, and constructive assessments based on the criteria outlined below.

1. Title

The title must accurately reflect the focus, scope, and main argument of the article. Reviewers are asked to assess whether:

The title is concise, clear, and informative.
The title is not merely descriptive but reflects the article’s main argument or key findings.
Unnecessary terms and abbreviations are avoided.
The title clearly indicates the article’s relevance to the field of mathematics education.

 

2. Abstract

The abstract must concisely reflect the entire content of the article and be written in a single paragraph containing 150–250 words. The abstract must include the following elements (not necessarily in this order):

Research background or problem statement.
Research objectives or focus.
Research methodology.
Key findings.
Main arguments as well as the scientific contributions or implications of the research.

Reviewers should ensure that the abstract not only describes the topic but also explicitly states the article’s findings and contributions.

 

3. Keywords
Keywords serve the purposes of indexing and academic search. Reviewers are expected to assess whether the keywords:

Consist of 3–6 words or phrases.
Represent the main concepts discussed in the article.
Are relevant to the field of mathematics education.
Avoid terms that are too general, vague, or ambiguous.

4. Introduction
The introduction should place this study in context and clearly link the article to relevant academic debates. The introduction should be logically structured, of appropriate length, and conclude with a clear statement of the article’s main argument.

Ideally, the introduction should consist of 4–6 paragraphs covering:

General issues in the global or international context of mathematics education related to the research problem.
The relevance of these issues within the specific context of the research (the subject matter of mathematics education) and an explanation of why they warrant academic attention.
A brief review of relevant key literature, including typologies and a discussion of the main academic arguments.
A clear identification of research gaps and the article’s position within the existing literature (current state of the field), including an explicit statement regarding the article’s main argument or contribution.
A statement regarding the research objectives and/or research questions, or a brief explanation of the article’s structure (optional).

5. Research Methodology
The methodology section must clearly and operationally explain how the research was conducted and how the data were analyzed. Reviewers must ensure that the methodological approach aligns with the research objectives and is robust enough to support the article’s arguments.

The methodology should be presented in 2–3 paragraphs and include:

The type and approach of the research, including the duration and location of the study, as well as a justification for the chosen methods and research subjects.
Data sources and data collection techniques, including the number and characteristics of informants, observation methods, and the types of documentary sources used.
Data analysis techniques and the theoretical or analytical framework used.

6. Results and Discussion
The Results and Discussion section is the core of the article and must present an in-depth and coherent analysis. Reviewers must assess whether this section:

Clearly aligns with and is relevant to the research objectives and/or questions outlined in the introduction.
Presents and discusses the findings systematically and thematically, supported by tables, figures, or other relevant visual materials, rather than merely raw data.
Interprets the findings rigorously by relating them to relevant theories, previous studies, and concepts in mathematics education.
Clearly explains the theoretical and practical implications of the research findings.

7. Conclusion
The conclusion should summarize the analysis and reaffirm the article’s contributions. This section should be reflective and argumentative, not merely a summary of the discussion.

The conclusion should be presented in 2–3 paragraphs and must:

Summarize the main findings related to the research objectives or questions without repeating the entire discussion.
Highlight the article’s scientific contributions and their implications for mathematics education.
Acknowledge the study’s limitations and provide recommendations for future research (optional).

8. References
The reference list should demonstrate the breadth and depth of the literature relevant to the study’s focus. Reviewers should evaluate whether:

All works cited in the text are included in the reference list.
References include relevant primary and secondary sources.
Scientific works from leading academic publications are used appropriately, accounting for approximately 50% or more of the total references.
Recent literature (from the last ten years or so) is included and relevant.
Reviewers’ Recommendations
Based on the overall evaluation, reviewers are asked to provide one of the following recommendations:

Accept Manuscript
Revisions Required
Resubmit for Review
Resubmit Elsewhere
Reject Manuscript
See Comments
Reviewers are encouraged to provide clear, well-reasoned, and constructive comments to support their recommendations.

Note: These reviewer guidelines may also serve as a reference for authors in drafting and revising manuscripts to ensure compliance with the academic standards of the Journal of Mathematics Education.