Reviewer Ethics

Ethical Guidelines for Peer Reviewers

COPE has published its Ethical Guidelines for Peer Reviewers, outlining the basic principles and standards to which all peer reviewers should adhere during the peer-review process. These can be accessed here.

In addition, peer reviewers should:

  • only agree to review manuscripts for which they have the subject expertise required to carry out a proper assessment and which they can assess promptly;
  • respect the confidentiality of peer review and not reveal any details of a manuscript or its review, during or after the peer-review process, beyond those that are released by the journal;
  • not use information obtained during the peer-review process for their own or any other person’s or organization’s advantage or to disadvantage or discredit others;
  • declare all potential conflicting interests, seeking advice from the journal if they are unsure whether something constitutes a relevant interest;
  • not allow their reviews to be influenced by the origins of a manuscript, by the nationality, religious or political beliefs, gender, or other characteristics of the authors, or by commercial considerations;
  • be objective and constructive in their reviews, refraining from being hostile or inflammatory and from making libelous or derogatory personal comments;
  • acknowledge that peer review is essentially a reciprocal endeavor and undertake to carry out their fair share of reviewing in a timely manner;
  • provide Canrea Journal with personal and professional information that is accurate and a true representation of their expertise;
  • recognize that impersonation of another individual during the review process is considered serious misconduct.