Anatolian Journal of Medical Sciences (AJMS) places great importance on the peer review process to ensure quality and reliability in academic publishing. This guideline has been prepared to help reviewers carry out their evaluations in accordance with ethical, objective, and scientific principles.

1. The Importance of the Reviewer Role
Reviewers are one of the most essential components of scientific publishing. Their responsibility is to assess the scientific validity, originality, and ethical compliance of manuscripts, thereby enhancing the quality of scholarly communication.

2. Core Reviewer Responsibilities
  • Conduct reviews in an objective, constructive, and scientific manner
  • Avoid personal bias or judgment regarding the author or the work
  • Maintain confidentiality and refrain from sharing manuscript content with third parties
  • Decline to review in case of a conflict of interest and promptly inform the editor
  • Complete the review within the assigned timeline or notify the editor if more time is needed

3. Evaluation Criteria
  • Originality of the topic and contribution to the literature
  • Adequacy and applicability of the methodology
  • Quality of data analysis and interpretation of results
  • Clarity of writing, presentation, and formatting
  • Compliance with ethical standards and publication policies

4. Reporting and Feedback
Reviewer reports should be prepared using clear, consistent, and scientific language. Comments should:
  • Be critical but not destructive, and include constructive suggestions
  • Be justified with reasons wherever possible
  • Clearly state the final recommendation regarding publication

5. Ethical Compliance and COPE Principles
AJMS adheres to the standards of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Reviewers are expected to follow these principles during the evaluation process:
  • Impartiality
  • Scientific integrity
  • Confidentiality
  • Responsibility