Reviewer's Responsibilities
Introduction
Reviewers are an integral part of the International Journal of Clinical Anesthesia and Research (IJCAR)’s mission to maintain scientific integrity and quality. Their responsibilities extend beyond evaluating manuscripts— they ensure fairness, confidentiality, and compliance with publication ethics.
“A responsible reviewer upholds the credibility of research by combining critical evaluation with ethical mindfulness.”
General Responsibilities
- Evaluate manuscripts objectively and confidentially.
- Provide constructive and evidence-based feedback that enhances manuscript quality.
- Respond to review invitations promptly and meet agreed deadlines.
- Avoid biases related to author identity, nationality, gender, or institutional affiliation.
Confidentiality
- Treat all manuscripts and related communications as confidential.
- Do not share manuscript content without permission from the editorial office.
- Refrain from using unpublished findings for personal or professional gain.
Conflict of Interest (COI)
- Declare any financial, personal, or professional conflicts before accepting a review.
- If unsure about a potential conflict, consult the editorial office for guidance.
- Recuse from reviewing manuscripts authored by collaborators or competitors.
Ethical Conduct During Review
| Ethical Domain | Reviewer Duty | Expected Action |
|---|---|---|
| Integrity | Provide honest, evidence-based feedback. | Support critique with data and references. |
| Plagiarism Detection | Identify unoriginal text or duplicated material. | Alert the editor confidentially. |
| Data Ethics | Check for data fabrication or selective reporting. | Recommend author clarification if suspected. |
| Respect | Be professional and courteous in tone. | Avoid offensive or judgmental language. |
Timeliness and Accountability
- Complete reviews within the specified time frame (typically 2–3 weeks).
- Inform the editor immediately if delays are unavoidable.
- Decline reviews when unable to commit adequate time for quality assessment.
Manuscript Evaluation Criteria
- Scientific validity and methodological soundness.
- Clarity and originality of the hypothesis or findings.
- Appropriateness of statistical analysis and data interpretation.
- Ethical compliance in patient consent and experimental approval.
- Relevance and contribution to clinical anesthesia and perioperative research.
Post-Review Conduct
- Do not contact authors directly regarding manuscripts.
- Delete or securely dispose of all manuscript files after submission of the review.
- Refrain from discussing reviewed work publicly or privately.
Recognition of Reviewers
IJCAR values reviewer contributions and provides annual recognition certificates. Reviewers may also record their activity on Publons or link to ORCID for academic visibility.
Reminder: Reviewers share responsibility for maintaining the scientific integrity of IJCAR’s publications. Ethical diligence ensures the credibility of the research ecosystem.
Training and Guidance
- New reviewers are encouraged to study COPE and ICMJE reviewer resources.
- Senior reviewers may mentor junior colleagues under editorial supervision.
- IJCAR periodically conducts reviewer development workshops and webinars.
Contact Information
For reviewer assistance or misconduct reporting:
Email: [email protected]
Alternate: [email protected]
Website: www.anesthesiaresjournal.com