INTRODUCTION
The review process is an important aspect of the publication process of an article. It helps an editor in making decision on an article and also enables the author to imporve the manuscript.
Before accepting to review a manuscript reviewers should ensure that :
- The manuscript is within their area of expertise
- They can dedicate the appropiate time to conduct a critical review of the manuscript
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
"Conflct of interset (COI) exists when there is a divergence between an individual's private interests (competing interests) and his or her responsibilities to scientific and publishing acitivities such that a reasonable observer might wonder if the individual's behavior or judgment was motivated by considerations of his or her competing interests" WAME.
"Reviewers should declare their conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from the peer- review process if a conflict exists". ICMJE
CONFIDENTIALITY
Manuscripts are confidential materials given to a reviewer in trust for the sole purpose of critical evalutaion. Reviewers should ensure that the review procesess is confidential. Details of the manuscript and the review process should remain confidential during and after the review process.
PLAGIARISM
"The practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing the off as one's own" Oxford Dictionaries
It is unethical for reviewers to "use information obtained during the peer-review process for their own or any other person's or organization's advantage. or to diasdvantage or discredit others" COPE
FAIRNESS
Reviews should be honest and objective. Reviewers should not be influenced by:
- The origin of the manuscript
- Religious, political or cultural viewpoint of the author
- Gender, race, ethnicity or citizenry of the author
In evaluating a manuscript, reviewers should focus on the following:
- Originality
- Contribution to the field
- Technical quality
- Clarity of presentation
- Depth of research
- Observe that the author(s) have followed the instruction for authors, editorial policies and publication ethics.
- Observe that the appropiate journal's reporting guidelines is followed
- Accept
- Requires minor corrections
- Requires moderate revision
- Requires major revision
- Not suitable for the journal. Submit to another publication such as (suggest a journal)
- Reject
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