Tips for Peer Reviewers

  1. Understand Your Role and Responsibilities
    Your goal as a reviewer is to help authors improve their work and assist the editor in making editorial decisions. Your review should be critical, constructive, and focused on enhancing the manuscript’s quality.

  2. Accept Reviews Within Your Expertise
    Ensure the manuscript’s topic aligns with your knowledge and experience. If you feel unqualified to review certain aspects of the work, inform the editor or suggest other suitable reviewers.

  3. Review Ethically and Confidentially
    Treat the manuscript as a confidential document. Do not share or discuss its content with others, and avoid conflicts of interest that could compromise your objectivity.

  4. Familiarize Yourself with the Editor’s and Journal’s Guidelines
    Review the journal’s policies and reviewer guidelines. This will help you align your feedback with the required editorial and ethical standards.

  5. Structure Your Review
    Address each section of the manuscript (title, abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, and references) in your review. This ensures a thorough analysis and facilitates actionable feedback for the authors.

  6. Provide Constructive and Specific Feedback
    Instead of simply pointing out issues, offer clear solutions and suggestions for improvement. Maintain a professional and respectful tone, even when addressing errors or deficiencies.

  7. Evaluate the Scientific and Ethical Rigor of the Work
    Assess whether the study design, methodology, and analysis are appropriate for addressing the research question. Ensure the study adheres to ethical standards, such as informed consent and ethics committee approval.

  8. Be Transparent About the Limitations of Your Review
    If you lack expertise to evaluate certain aspects of the manuscript (e.g., statistical analysis), inform the editor in your report. This allows other reviewers to complement your assessment.

  9. Meet the Deadlines
    Submit your review within the agreed timeframe. If you require an extension, notify the editor as soon as possible. Timely reviews contribute to an efficient editorial process.

  10. Use the Review Process as a Learning Opportunity
    Peer reviewing helps improve your own scientific work, understand editorial standards, and stay updated on developments in your field. Embrace this experience as a chance for professional growth.

Conclusion
Being a good reviewer not only benefits the scientific community but also strengthens your own research skills. Follow these tips to deliver high-quality reviews and contribute meaningfully to the publication process.