Reviewer Guidelines
Reviewers are essential to the quality of Arthritis Research and Therapy. These guidelines outline how to evaluate submissions fairly, ethically, and efficiently while providing constructive feedback to authors.
Review Focus Areas
Reviewers should assess scientific rigor, clinical relevance, and originality. Evaluate whether the methodology is appropriate, results are clearly reported, and conclusions are supported by data.
Recommended Review Structure
Start with a brief summary of the manuscript, then list major concerns followed by minor comments. This structure helps editors prioritize revisions and helps authors address issues efficiently.
Methods are sound and reproducible.
Results are clear and statistically valid.
Clinical relevance is articulated.
Ethics and disclosures are complete.
Confidentiality and Conflicts
Manuscripts and review comments are confidential. Reviewers must disclose conflicts of interest and decline assignments when conflicts could affect objectivity.
Professional Tone
Reviews should be respectful and focused on the work, not the authors. Avoid personal comments and use clear language that helps authors improve the manuscript.
Constructive Feedback
Provide clear, respectful feedback that helps authors improve the work. Distinguish between major concerns and minor edits, and offer actionable suggestions where possible. Be specific.
Reporting Standards and Data
Check whether the manuscript follows relevant reporting standards such as CONSORT, PRISMA, or STROBE. Confirm that data availability statements are included and that conclusions align with reported outcomes.
Recommendation Categories
Editors rely on clear recommendations such as accept, minor revision, major revision, or reject. Provide justification linked to specific sections of the manuscript to support your recommendation. If a manuscript is outside your expertise, inform the editor promptly. Partial reviews are acceptable when clearly stated.
Timeliness
Timely reviews help authors and editors reach decisions quickly. If you cannot meet the requested timeline, notify the editorial office so another reviewer can be assigned. Communicate delays early to avoid holding up decisions for authors.
Confidential Handling of Data
Do not share manuscript content or data with colleagues, and do not use unpublished findings for your own research. Maintain confidentiality even after the review is complete.
Ethical Concerns
If you suspect plagiarism, data manipulation, or ethical issues, alert the editorial office with specific concerns. Do not contact authors directly.
Thank You for Your Review Support
Your expertise strengthens the quality and impact of arthritis research.
