Guidelines for Reviewer
Review Process of Manuscript: Initial Review
Begin by reading the abstract to confirm that you have the relevant expertise to review the manuscript. Do not hesitate to decline the review if you have a valid reason. Review the journal's guidelines for reviewers to understand:
a. The type of manuscript submitted (e.g., review article, original research) and the journal's expectation for that category.
b. Any specific requirements the manuscript must meet, such as word count and citation style.
Ensure that the manuscript aligns with the journal's scope and mission. When ready, read the manuscript in its entirety to determine if it is suitable for publication, making brief notes on any major issues you notice:
- Does the research question address a relevant and significant issue?
- Is the study design and/or methodology appropriate, or does it have critical flaws?
- Are the results substantial enough to merit publication, or are the data too limited or flawed to support publication?
Consider your initial impression:
- If the manuscript is strong and requires only minor comments (interesting, original, methodologically sound, well-presented results, and a discussion based on solid scientific reasoning), proceed directly to writing your review.
- If the manuscript has critical flaws and is unsuitable for publication, prepare your review accordingly.
- If the manuscript falls somewhere between "revise and resubmit" and "accept with major revisions", or if you are uncertain about its suitability for publication, note the major concerns that need to be addressed.
The review form for reviewers can be downloaded here. Please upload the completed form with your assessment and review results in the Review section.
