Table 2.

Reviewers' responsibilities to authors

• Provide written, honest, and unbiased feedback in a timely manner

• Express a critical opinion about the manuscript, as experts in the field, in a collegial and constructive manner

• Comment on the style of writing, especially its clarity

• Rate the work's detail, methodology, relevance, accuracy, and originality

• Avoid comments or criticism of a personal nature

• Maintain professionalism and confidentiality, especially given the competitive nature of research, funding availability, and publication

• Refrain from directly contacting authors without permission from the editor, unless the journal stipulates otherwise

Adapted with permission from Jordan K, Pederick R. Guidelines for reviewers [cited 2009 Jul 18]. Available from: http://people.bath.ac.uk/liskmj/living-spring/journal/reviewgd.htm.³⁰