Duties of reviewers

Contribution to editorial decisions

An independent and unbiased assessment of the quality of a submitted article facilitates the editor/editorial board in making an objective decision on the placement of such an article and, where necessary, in improving it through editorial communications (written/electronic) to the author.

Timeliness

A reviewer must adhere to the review deadline set by the editorial office. A reviewer who is aware in advance of their inability to review within the allotted time, or of any circumstances that make completing the review within the designated period impossible, must notify the editor and recuse themselves.

Confidentiality, standards of objectivity, source verification

A reviewer must treat manuscripts received for review as confidential documents that may not be shown or discussed with a third party, except in cases permitted by the editor. The reviews provided must also be of a confidential nature.

An objective, reasoned, and constructive evaluation of the research results presented must be provided. Personal criticism of the author is not permissible. Reviewers must clearly express their views on any contentious issues.

Reviewers must identify relevant published articles that the authors have not discussed or cited. Any claim that an observation, conclusion, or suggestion has been previously reported must be supported by the appropriate citation. The reviewer must also draw the Editor-in-Chief's attention to any significant similarity or partial overlap between the article under review and any other previously published work.

Conflict of interest

Unpublished information disclosed in a submitted article must not be used in any work by a reviewer without the written permission of the author. Confidential information or ideas that emerge during the review process must be kept secret and must not be used to gain personal advantage.

A reviewer must not accept manuscripts for review if a conflict of interest exists, arising from competition, collaboration, or other relationships with any of the authors or organisations related to the article.