Ethical Guidelines for Peer Reviewers

The Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) has issued Ethical Guidelines for Peer Reviewers, which outline the fundamental principles and standards expected of all individuals involved in the peer-review process. These guidelines are accessible [here].

In addition to adhering to COPE’s general principles, peer reviewers are expected to:

• Accept invitations to review only when they possess the necessary subject expertise to provide a thorough and accurate evaluation, and are able to complete the review within the required timeframe;

• Maintain the confidentiality of the peer-review process, refraining from disclosing any details about the manuscript or the review itself during or after the process, except those officially shared by the journal;

• Avoid using information obtained through peer review for personal gain or to benefit or harm others or any organization;

• Disclose any potential conflicts of interest and consult the journal in cases of uncertainty regarding the relevance of such conflicts;

• Ensure their review is not influenced by the manuscript’s origin, or by the authors’ nationality, religious or political beliefs, gender, or other personal attributes, nor by commercial interests;

• Conduct reviews in an objective and constructive manner, avoiding hostility, inflammatory language, or defamatory and inappropriate personal remarks;

• Recognize that peer review is a reciprocal responsibility and commit to reviewing a fair share of manuscripts in a timely fashion;

• Provide Canrea Journal with accurate and truthful personal and professional information that reflects their qualifications and expertise;

• Understand that impersonating another individual during the peer-review process constitutes a serious ethical violation.