Reviewers' Responsibilities

  • Confidentiality: Reviewers must treat manuscripts as confidential and not share or discuss them with others unless authorized by the editor.
  • Acknowledgment of Sources: Reviewers should identify relevant published work that the authors have not cited and should alert the authors if similar work has been reported elsewhere.
  • Standards of Objectivity: Reviews should be objective and devoid of personal criticism. Reviewers should present their opinions clearly, with supporting evidence.
  • Promptness: Reviewers who feel unqualified to review a manuscript or unable to do so promptly should notify the editor and excuse themselves from the process.
  • Disclosure and Conflict of Interest: Unpublished materials from submitted manuscripts must not be used in a reviewer’s own research without the author’s explicit consent. Confidential information gained through peer review must not be used for personal benefit.