Reviewer Policies
1. Conflict of Interest and Financial Disclosures (Specific to Reviewers)
The Veterinary Medicine journal requires that all reviewers disclose any potential conflicts of interest (COI) and financial relationships that could influence their impartiality and objectivity during the peer review process. Reviewers are asked to declare any personal, professional, or financial ties that might create a conflict when evaluating manuscripts. This includes relationships with authors, institutions, or organizations involved in the research, as well as any financial interests in companies that could benefit from the research's findings. Reviewers must disclose if they have collaborated with the authors in the past, share financial interests, or have any competitive or personal stakes that could be perceived as a conflict of interest.
The journal ensures that any conflicts of interest are carefully assessed, and, if necessary, reviewers are recused from evaluating specific manuscripts to maintain the integrity of the review process. Additionally, reviewers are encouraged to remain neutral and unbiased, providing constructive and fair assessments of the manuscript's quality, methodology, and significance. The aim of this policy is to safeguard the credibility of the peer review process and ensure that all published research is evaluated based solely on scientific merit.
Reviewers' transparency regarding financial or personal disclosures ensures that Veterinary Medicine journal upholds the highest ethical standards, aligning with best practices set out by organizations like COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics). The policy also fosters trust and confidence in the journal’s editorial and review processes.
2. Reviewers' Guidelines
The Veterinary Medicine journal provides detailed guidelines to ensure that reviewers conduct a thorough and fair evaluation of submitted manuscripts. Reviewers are selected based on their expertise in the relevant field of research, and their feedback is crucial for maintaining the scientific integrity and quality of the journal’s content.
The guidelines emphasize the importance of evaluating manuscripts based on their scientific rigor, methodology, and relevance to the journal’s scope, particularly research related to veterinary science and animal health. Reviewers are asked to assess the originality of the research, its potential impact, the clarity of its hypotheses, and the validity of its conclusions. They are also expected to evaluate the appropriateness of the study design, data analysis methods, and interpretation of results.
In addition to scientific content, reviewers should also consider ethical aspects of the research. This includes confirming that proper ethical approval was obtained for studies involving animals, that consent was obtained from study participants (if applicable), and that data privacy regulations have been followed.
Reviewers should provide constructive, specific, and actionable feedback that helps authors improve their work. They are expected to refrain from general or vague comments and instead offer detailed suggestions or concerns about the manuscript's content, structure, or presentation. The feedback should be respectful and aimed at improving the manuscript.
The journal also emphasizes the importance of confidentiality. Reviewers must not share, discuss, or use any information from the manuscript for personal or professional advantage before it is published. This confidentiality extends to the details of the review process, including reviewer identities, unless the peer review is conducted in an open manner.
Lastly, the guidelines encourage timely reviews. Reviewers are expected to submit their feedback within the designated timeframe, usually a few weeks after receiving the manuscript. Delayed reviews can significantly hinder the journal’s editorial process and publication timelines, so reviewers are expected to prioritize their commitments to Veterinary Medicine journal when agreeing to review a manuscript.
By adhering to these guidelines, reviewers help ensure that the peer review process at Veterinary Medicine is fair, rigorous, and contributes to the dissemination of high-quality research. The journal is committed to transparency, integrity, and excellence in all aspects of the editorial and review processes.
