Reviewer Policies
1. Reviewers' Guidelines
The Pediatrics and Neonatal Nursing journal provides comprehensive guidelines to reviewers to ensure a fair, thorough, and constructive review process. Reviewers are experts in the field of pediatric and neonatal nursing and are selected based on their expertise and experience. Their primary responsibility is to critically evaluate the scientific quality, relevance, and impact of the manuscript.
Reviewers should focus on evaluating the originality and novelty of the research, the soundness of the methodology, the validity of the results, and the clarity of the manuscript's conclusions. They should assess whether the study adheres to ethical guidelines, including patient consent and research involving animals or vulnerable populations. Reviewers are also encouraged to assess the quality of the writing and presentation, making sure that the article is clearly structured, free of errors, and adheres to the journal’s formatting guidelines.
Constructive feedback is a key element of the peer review process. Reviewers should provide detailed comments, pointing out both strengths and areas for improvement. Suggestions for revisions should be actionable, and reviewers should be respectful in their communication, understanding that the goal is to improve the manuscript.
Confidentiality is paramount in the peer review process. Reviewers must not share, copy, or use the manuscript content for personal gain or other unauthorized purposes. They must also avoid any conflicts of interest and disclose any personal or professional relationships that might influence their judgment.
The peer review process is integral to maintaining the journal’s standards of scientific rigor and integrity, and reviewers are expected to complete their reviews in a timely manner to ensure efficient manuscript processing.
2. Conflict of Interest and Financial Disclosures (Specific to Reviewers)
The Pediatrics and Neonatal Nursing journal follows strict guidelines regarding conflicts of interest and financial disclosures for reviewers to ensure impartial and unbiased evaluations. Reviewers are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could affect their objectivity when reviewing a manuscript. These conflicts may include any financial, personal, or professional relationships that could be seen as influencing their judgment. This includes affiliations with the authors, funding sources for the research, or any competing interests in the topic of the manuscript.
For example, if the reviewer has collaborated with the authors in the past, holds stock or financial interests in a company relevant to the manuscript’s content, or has personal relationships with the authors, these must be disclosed. Reviewers are asked to notify the editorial board of any such conflicts before accepting the review assignment. If a conflict of interest is identified after review, the reviewer must recuse themselves from further participation in the evaluation process of that manuscript.
Reviewers are expected to maintain transparency throughout the review process. If they have any doubts about a potential conflict of interest, they should err on the side of caution and disclose it. This ensures that the review process remains fair and unbiased, upholding the credibility of the journal. The editorial team uses these disclosures to ensure that the peer review process remains objective and free from external influences.
Furthermore, any financial or other forms of support received by the reviewer, such as research grants, honoraria, or consultancy fees from organizations involved in the field of pediatric and neonatal nursing, should be disclosed as well. Transparency in financial relationships is crucial to maintaining the trust of authors, readers, and the broader scientific community.
These guidelines and policies ensure that the Pediatrics and Neonatal Nursing journal maintains a high standard of fairness and integrity throughout the peer review process. By adhering to these principles, the journal aims to uphold the quality and credibility of the research it publishes.
