Reviewer Responsibilities

This section outlines the core responsibilities of a peer reviewer, including the evaluation of manuscript quality, providing constructive feedback, and maintaining the integrity of the peer review process.

Primary Responsibilities

As a reviewer, your key responsibilities include:

• Objective evaluation: Assessing manuscripts based on scientific merit, originality, and relevance
• Constructive feedback: Providing specific, actionable suggestions for improvement
• Timely response: Completing reviews within the agreed timeframe
• Confidentiality: Maintaining the confidentiality of the review process
• Conflict disclosure: Identifying and declaring any potential conflicts of interest
• Ethical vigilance: Identifying potential ethical issues in submitted manuscripts

Accepting Review Invitations

When considering a review invitation:

• Only accept if you have the necessary expertise to evaluate the manuscript
• Ensure you can complete the review within the requested timeframe (typically 2-3 weeks)
• Decline promptly if you cannot review, suggesting alternative reviewers if possible
• Notify the editor immediately if circumstances change after accepting

Evaluation Criteria

Reviewers should evaluate manuscripts based on:

• Originality: Does the work present new concepts or findings?
• Significance: Is the research important to the field?
• Methodology: Are the methods appropriate and well-described?
• Validity: Are the conclusions supported by the evidence?
• Clarity: Is the manuscript well-written and organized?
• References: Are citations appropriate and current?

Time Commitment

The typical time required for a thorough review:

• Initial reading: 30-60 minutes
• Detailed evaluation: 1-2 hours
• Writing the review: 1-2 hours
• Total: 2-4 hours per manuscript