  Here, we report an investigation of structural, magnetic and electronic
properties in Y-doped layered iridate (Sr$_{1-x}$Y$_x$)$_2$IrO$_4$ ($x$ $\leq$
0.1). The parent Sr$_2$IrO$_4$ is a well-studied spin-orbit coupling (SOC)
induced insulator with an antiferromagnetic ground state. The Y-doping here
equivalently acts for electron doping without altering the vital parameters
such as, SOC and electron correlation. Experimental results show a minute
change in structural parameters and an equivalent charge conversion from
Ir$^{4+}$ to Ir$^{3+}$. Unlike similarly other electron-doped system, the low
temperature magnetic and electronic state in present series is minimally
influenced. The charge conduction mechanism follows 2-dimensional hopping model
in whole series. Magnetoresistance (MR) data show an interesting sign change
with both temperature and magnetic field. The positive MR both at low
temperature follows weak antilocalization behavior where the sign change in MR
is believed to be caused by an interplay between SOC and magnetic moment.
