For Reviewers
Guidelines For Reviewers
Peer review is a cornerstone of scholarly publishing and essential to maintaining the quality, integrity, and credibility of the International Journal of Health Sciences (IJHS). Reviewers play a critical role in ensuring that published research is scientifically sound, ethically conducted, and clearly reported.
Confidentiality
Manuscripts submitted for review are confidential and privileged documents. Reviewers must:
- treat all materials as strictly confidential;
- not share, discuss, or disclose the manuscript or its contents without prior permission from the editor;
- not cite, reference, or use any unpublished information from the manuscript for personal research or professional advantage.
Objectivity and Impartiality
Reviews must be conducted objectively, fairly, and without bias. Reviewers should assess manuscripts solely on their scientific merit, originality, and relevance. If a reviewer believes they cannot evaluate a manuscript impartially due to a conflict of interest (financial, professional, personal, or intellectual), they must decline the review promptly and inform the editor.
Timeliness
Reviewers are expected to complete reviews within 3–4 weeks of acceptance. If circumstances prevent timely completion, reviewers should notify the editorial office as soon as possible to arrange alternative arrangements.
Communication with Authors
Reviewers must not communicate directly with authors. If consultation with a colleague or trainee is desired for educational purposes, prior approval from the editor must be obtained, and confidentiality must be maintained.
Role of the Reviewer
Reviewers should approach the task constructively, aiming to improve the quality and clarity of the manuscript. Criticism should be:
- professional and respectful;
- evidence-based and clearly reasoned;
- directed at the work, not the authors.
Comments intended for authors should avoid statements about acceptance or rejection. Recommendations regarding editorial decisions should be communicated only to the editor.
Evaluation Criteria
Reviewers are asked to consider the following aspects, as applicable:
- scientific validity and methodological rigor;
- importance and relevance of the research question;
- originality of the work;
- adequacy of the abstract and keywords;
- study design and methods, including statistical analyses;
- clarity and credibility of results;
- soundness of interpretation and conclusions;
- relevance of the discussion;
- appropriateness of references;
- quality of tables and figures;
- overall suitability for IJHS readership.
Ethical Considerations
Reviewers should be alert to potential ethical issues, including:
- inadequate ethics approval or informed consent;
- plagiarism or redundant publication;
- data fabrication, falsification, or inappropriate image manipulation.
Any concerns should be reported confidentially to the editor.
Constructive Feedback
Even when recommending rejection, reviewers are encouraged to provide detailed, constructive feedback that may help authors improve their work. Suggested revisions should be clearly distinguished as essential or desirable. Abrasive or personal remarks should be avoided.
Language and Presentation
Reviewers are not expected to provide detailed language editing, but comments on clarity, structure, or readability are welcome when they affect scientific understanding.
Editorial Independence
While reviewer recommendations are highly valued, final editorial decisions rest with the Editor-in-Chief and editorial team, based on multiple independent assessments. Reviewers should not expect their recommendations to be followed in every case.
Use of Screening Tools
Where appropriate, reviewers may draw attention to possible plagiarism or overlap. Any concerns should be reported to the editor through the journal’s review system. Reviewers should not independently contact authors regarding such matters.
Ethical Framework
These guidelines are informed by best practices from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the Council of Science Editors (CSE).