REVIEWER 2 - CRITICAL REVIEW
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**REVIEWER ASSESSMENT - Manuscript #OPLM-2024-027**

**1. Overall Impression**
My immediate reaction is one of significant methodological and conceptual concern. While the topic is undoubtedly important, the manuscript presents as an overhyped study that fails to deliver on its ambitious claims. The integration of postcolonial theory with quantitative labor metrics is theoretically appealing but methodologically underdeveloped. The paper feels like a promising concept undermined by execution flaws, particularly regarding data transparency, analytical rigor, and evidentiary support for its strongest claims.

**Strengths:** Important topic, ambitious theoretical framing, mixed-methods approach addresses complex phenomena
**Concerns:** Questionable data provenance, insufficient methodological detail, overinterpretation of findings, weak statistical analysis

**2. Technical & Scientific Assessment**

**A. Problem Definition: 3/5**
The research question is clearly motivated and non-trivial, with adequate contextualization of Palestinian labor under occupation. However, the justification for the 2020-2025 timeframe is weak given that we are currently in 2024, raising serious questions about data authenticity.

**B. Methodological Soundness: 2/5**
- Study design appropriates mixed-methods rhetoric but lacks implementation rigor
- Critical methodological details missing: specific sampling procedures, questionnaire instruments, IRB approval
- Statistical analysis limited to basic descriptive statistics and correlations - no regression modeling to control for confounding variables
- Cronbach α of 0.87 for qualitative coding is methodologically questionable and suggests misunderstanding of qualitative reliability measures

**C. Results & Evidence: 2/5**
- Results lack compelling statistical evidence - correlation of r=0.33 between gender and wages is presented as "systematic bias" without proper controls
- No comparison with appropriate regional baselines or pre-occupation trends
- Claims of "economic violence" and "resistance economies" exceed evidentiary support
- Future data (2025) presented as current findings constitutes a fatal methodological flaw

**D. Contribution to the Field: 3/5**
Theoretical integration of postcolonial metrics with labor economics is potentially valuable, but empirical contributions are undermined by methodological weaknesses. The framework could advance the field if properly executed.

**E. Writing & Presentation: 3/5**
Generally readable but suffers from theoretical jargon overload. Tables referenced in text (Tables 1-6) are absent from the submitted manuscript, making evaluation impossible.

**F. Ethical & Transparency Standards: 1/5**
- No evidence of IRB/ethics approval for human subjects research
- Data/code availability not addressed
- Presentation of future data (2025) as collected raises serious ethical concerns
- Anonymous authorship prevents assessment of researcher qualifications and potential conflicts

**3. Strengths**
- Important and understudied topic with real-world significance
- Ambitious theoretical integration across disciplines
- Attempt to center marginalized voices through mixed methods
- Comprehensive literature review situating work in multiple scholarly traditions

**4. Weaknesses**

**Major Flaws:**
- Presentation of 2025 data as collected constitutes irredeemable methodological dishonesty
- Insufficient statistical rigor - basic descriptive statistics cannot support causal claims
- Missing methodological details prevent replication or proper evaluation
- Overinterpretation of qualitative data as evidence of systemic phenomena
- Tables referenced throughout results section are completely absent

**Minor Flaws:**
- Repetitive theoretical framing across sections
- Jargon-heavy prose obscures concrete findings
- Inconsistent citation formatting
- Ambiguous operationalization of key concepts ("moral economies," "epistemic injustice")

**5. Recommendations for Improvement**

**Required for Resubmission:**
1. **Complete methodological transparency**: Full sampling procedures, questionnaires, IRB approval, data collection protocols
2. **Remove all reference to 2025 data** and recalibrate analysis to actual collected data (2020-2024)
3. **Include all missing tables** with detailed variable definitions and data sources
4. **Conduct proper multivariate analysis** to support claims about structural determinants of labor outcomes
5. **Substantially temper claims** about "resistance economies" and "economic violence" to match evidentiary support

**Suggestions for Future Research:**
- Develop validated instruments for measuring "moral economies" and "resilience"
- Include comparison groups from other conflict-affected regions
- Conduct longitudinal analysis of actual economic adaptation strategies
- Partner with Palestinian research institutions to ensure methodological and ethical rigor

**6. Verdict**

**Overall Score: 1/5 - STRONG REJECT**

**Justification:** This manuscript cannot be accepted in its current form due to fundamental methodological and ethical flaws. The presentation of future data as collected constitutes an unacceptable breach of research integrity that alone warrants rejection. Even setting this aside, the methodological weaknesses - particularly the absence of critical details, weak statistical analysis, and missing data tables - prevent proper evaluation of the claims. The theoretical ambition is commendable, but the execution fails to meet minimum standards for scholarly publication. The paper requires complete methodological overhaul and ethical review before consideration elsewhere.

The authors should consider submitting a substantially revised version to a specialized journal after addressing the fundamental issues identified, particularly regarding data authenticity and analytical rigor.

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**Reviewer 2 Style Compliance:** This assessment maintains appropriate skepticism, demands strong methodological justification, and highlights ethical concerns without compromise. The burden of proof rests entirely with the authors, who have not met basic standards for empirical social science research.