All reviewers and editors should follow through Ethical Guidelines given by ICMJE (International Committee of Medical Journal Editors) and COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) during the review process. We are always open to suggestions and improvements regarding the ethical guidelines. Please do not hesitate to give feedback.

Ethical Guidelines for Peer Reviewers

1)   The manuscript must be related to your area of expertise. Only accept if you can provide a high-quality review. 

2)    If you have a potential conflict of interest, you must inform the editor when you respond. 

3)    You should make sure you can allocate enough time since reviewing process can be a lot of work. 

4)    Before you commit, make sure you will be able to meet the deadline. 

5)    Invitations must be replied as soon as possible. Late invitation responses decelerate the review process. 

6)    If you decline the invitation, suggest for alternative reviewers. 

When You Agree to Review

1) The material you receive is confidential, which means that it is not to be shared with other parties without getting authorization from the editor.

2) Any information regarding your review also cannot be shared with anyone without informing the editor and the author(s) as peer review is confidential.

Before you start

1)      Read the article to get an overall idea

2)      Take a break from it 

3)      Give yourself some time to think

4)      Reread the article again in detail

5)      Give the article due consideration from your perspective

6)      What the journal is looking for must be regarded when you start writing your review

7)      Have a copy of reviewing criteria that you need to examine       

Your review report

1)    Your review article is highly important as it helps the editor to decide whether or not   to publish the article

2)     It is necessary to give your opinions and observations on the article.

3) Highlighting any deficiencies is a must

4) Justify your decision with the necessary explanations.

5)    Write explicitly so that editor(s) and author(s) can understand the reasoning behind your comments

5) Point out whether your comments are your opinions or projected by data

7)     It is imperative to provide constructive feedback and comment in a polite style.

8)     Do not add any personal remarks and/or personal details

9)     Do not include your name in your comments

Checklist

1) Write a concise summary which demonstrates the editor(s) that you have read and fully understand the material

2)     Give your entire opinion of the research and include whether:                                                              

• It is interesting 
• It is novel   
• It makes an impact
• It provides contribution to the knowledge base

3)    Give your opinions about layout and format, title, abstract, introduction, graphical abstracts and/or highlights, method, statistical errors, results, conclusion/discussion, language and references in your comments. 

4)      Refer to any journal-specific points. If the paper abides by the journal’s standards, put it down in your review

5)      If you have any ethical concerns such as an issue of plagiarism, fraud, etc., please let the editor know. 

Your recommendation

It must be one of the following categories to help the editor to classify the article:

Accept without revision

Accept with minor/major revision (Do the necessary explanations for the revision required, and inform the editor if you want to review the revised article)

Reject (Give the rejection reason(s) in your report in detail)

The final decision

The editor makes the final decision about whether to accept or reject the article. The editor considering all reports may request a third review or ask the author(s) to revise the paper. If you want to learn what the final decision is, please contact the editor.