This guide is designed to assist in the peer review of manuscripts submitted to the journal Medical Records. It aims to ensure that the review is accurate, comprehensive, and completed promptly.

Our Philosophy on Peer Review

Medical Records expects reviewers to evaluate manuscripts fairly, thoroughly, transparently, and promptly. As a result, peer reviewers are asked to submit their comments within 15 business days. All submissions to the journal are subject to double-blind peer review. We believe that the best way to obtain honest opinions about manuscripts is through double anonymous reviewers. Reviewers and authors are required not to communicate with each other. You should consider the COPE Ethical Guidelines for Peer Reviewers before accepting to review a manuscript and throughout the peer review process.

Peer Review is Important

Peer reviewers’ comments and recommendations are crucial guides for making decisions about a manuscript. Peer review ensures that manuscripts receive impartial criticism and expert feedback, allowing authors to improve their work and enabling the publication of high-quality scientific research and reviews. It also helps readers trust the scientific integrity of the article and make informed decisions when reviewer comments are available.

Peer Review

After receiving a peer review request, it is important for reviewers to respond in a timely manner, especially if they are unable to complete the review, to prevent unnecessary delays in the process. Reviewers must keep all information regarding the content of the manuscript confidential. Peer review comments should be objective and constructive without being hostile or derogatory.

Reviewers should not enter unpublished draft files, images, or information into publicly accessible databases or tools that do not guarantee confidentiality and that may store or use this information for their purposes (e.g., generative AI tools like ChatGPT).

Reviewers should not use AI tools, including LLM-based tools like ChatGPT, to create manuscript review reports.

Reviewers are responsible for ensuring that all references included in their reports are accurate and verifiable.

More information about ethical peer review issues and conflicts of interest can be found in the COPE guidelines.