Peer Review Process

 

Guide for Peer Reviewers of Colombia Médica

Introduction
We sincerely thank you for your willingness to serve as a reviewer for Colombia Médica, a diamond open-access journal. This means that we do not charge fees to authors or readers, ensuring free and equitable access to scientific knowledge. Your detailed, critical, and constructive review is essential for maintaining our mission to provide high-quality publications without financial barriers.

1. Role of the Reviewer

As a reviewer, your role is fundamental in ensuring the quality, accuracy, and relevance of the manuscripts published. The following principles outline your responsibilities:

  • Objectivity and Impartiality: Assess the manuscript fairly, based on its scientific merits, without personal, professional, or financial biases.
  • Confidentiality: Treat the manuscript as a confidential document. Do not share or discuss it with third parties without prior authorization.
  • Ethical Commitment: Identify and disclose any conflicts of interest before accepting the review.

2. Review Process

2.1 Review Confirmation

  • Before accepting the invitation, ensure the topic falls within your area of expertise.
  • Notify the editor immediately if you cannot complete the review within the assigned time or identify a conflict of interest.

2.2 Review of Supplementary Documents

Verify that the manuscript includes the following required elements:

  • Conflict of interest declaration.
  • Ethics committee approval, if applicable.
  • Documentation on informed consent.

3. Aspects to Evaluate

3.1 Originality and Novelty

  • Does the manuscript address a relevant and novel research question?
  • Does it provide new data, approaches, or perspectives to medical knowledge?

3.2 Scientific and Methodological Quality

  • Is the methodology robust and appropriate to answer the research question?
  • Are the results clear, reproducible, and well-supported by the data?
  • Are the study’s limitations adequately discussed?

3.3 Research Ethics and Integrity

  • Does the study have approval from a research ethics committee?
  • Is informed consent described when applicable?
  • Does the manuscript comply with the ethical provisions of Resolution 8430 of 1993 and other international standards?

3.4 Writing and Organization

  • Is the text well-structured and clear?
  • Do the title, abstract, and keywords adequately reflect the manuscript’s content?
  • Are the tables, figures, and references correctly presented and complementary to the main text?

3.5 Relevance and Suitability for the Journal

  • Does the manuscript align with the focus and objectives of Colombia Médica?
  • Is the topic of interest to the journal’s audience?

4. Recommendations for Editorial Decision

Choose one of the following options and provide clear arguments to support your recommendation:

  1. Accept without changes: The manuscript meets all quality and ethical standards.
  2. Accept with minor revisions: Necessary changes are minor and do not affect the study’s conclusions.
  3. Revise and resubmit: Substantial revisions are needed before the manuscript can be considered for publication.
  4. Reject: The manuscript does not meet the journal’s scientific, ethical, or editorial standards.

5. Writing the Review Report

5.1 General Comments

Provide an overall summary of your observations about the manuscript, highlighting strengths and weaknesses.

5.2 Specific Comments

  • Identify specific issues in each section of the manuscript (introduction, methodology, results, etc.).
  • Include clear and detailed suggestions to improve the work.

5.3 Constructive Tone

Maintain a respectful and professional tone in all comments. Avoid derogatory or subjective remarks.

6. Resources and Support

6.1 Deadlines

  • Please complete your review within the specified timeframe. If you need an extension, notify us in advance.

6.2 Queries and Assistance

If you have questions about the review process or need clarifications, contact the editor-in-chief or refer to the author guidelines.

7. Acknowledgment

By serving as a reviewer, you make a significant contribution to open access to high-quality scientific knowledge, consistent with Colombia Médica's principles as a diamond open-access journal. Your commitment is key to our mission of providing an accessible, cost-free platform for the dissemination of medical research.