Roles and Responsibilities of Reviewers
1. Confidentiality
Reviewers must treat all manuscripts as confidential documents.
They must not share, discuss, or disclose any information related to the manuscript with third parties without prior permission from the Editor.
2. Competence
Reviewers should accept assignments only if they have sufficient expertise in the relevant subject area.
If a reviewer feels unqualified to assess a manuscript, they should promptly decline the review request.
3. Constructive assessment
Reviewers are expected to provide objective, clear, and constructive feedback:
- Highlight strengths and positive aspects of the manuscript
- Identify weaknesses, limitations, and areas for improvement
- Provide specific suggestions to enhance quality
- Support comments with appropriate reasoning and references where necessary
Reviewers should:
- Maintain a professional and respectful tone
- Avoid any abusive or inappropriate language
- Inform the Editor if they detect plagiarism, duplication, or ethical concerns
4. Impartiality and Integrity
Reviews must be conducted fairly and without bias.
Decisions should be based solely on:
- Scientific merit
- Relevance to the journal scope
- Quality and originality of the work
Reviewers must not be influenced by:
- Author nationality
- Institutional affiliation
- Gender, ethnicity, or personal beliefs
5. Conflict of Interest
Reviewers must disclose any potential conflicts of interest, including:
- Personal or professional relationships with authors
- Financial or academic competing interests
If a conflict exists, the reviewer should inform the Editor and decline the review where appropriate.
6. Timeliness and Responsiveness
Reviewers are expected to complete reviews within the assigned timeframe.
- Standard review period: within 14 days
- If unable to meet the deadline, reviewers should notify the Editor promptly
Timely reviews ensure:
- Faster editorial decisions
- Efficient publication process