Peer review in all its forms plays an important role in ensuring the integrity of the scholarly record. The process depends to a large extent on trust, and requires that everyone involved behaves responsibly and ethically. Peer reviewers play a central and critical part in the peer-review process, but too often come to the role without any guidance and may be unaware of their ethical obligations.
Basic principles to which peer reviewers should adhere:
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 in a timely manner
● 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 libellous or derogatory personal comments
● acknowledge that peer review is largely a reciprocal endeavour and undertake to carry out their fair share of reviewing and in a timely manner
● provide journals 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.
