Reviewers' responsibilities
Reviewers are obligated to provide a qualified and timely evaluation of the scholarly merits of the manuscript. They pay special attention to the originality and actual contribution of the manuscript, ensuring that their review remains objective and supported by sound arguments.
During the review process, reviewers assess various aspects of the manuscript, including its alignment with the journal's scope, the relevance of the topic and research methods employed, the scientific significance of the presented information, and the quality of the presentation and scholarly references. The review follows a standardized format.
Reviewers must not have any conflicts of interest with the authors or funders of the research. If such a conflict exists, it is the reviewer's responsibility to promptly inform the Editor-in-Chief. Reviewers should only accept papers for review that fall within their area of expertise.
If reviewers have well-founded suspicions or knowledge of possible ethical violations by the authors, they should bring these concerns to the attention of the Editor-in-Chief.
Reviewers should identify relevant published works that have not been cited in the manuscript. While they can suggest specific references for citation, they should not require the inclusion of papers published in the same journal or their own papers unless justified.
Reviewers are expected to contribute to the improvement of the manuscript by offering constructive suggestions. If they recommend revisions prior to publication, they should clearly specify the required changes.
Confidentiality must be maintained for all manuscripts received for review. Reviewers must not use unpublished materials disclosed in the submitted manuscripts without obtaining written consent from the authors.