1 July 2024: The Editorial Publishing & Policy Resource is scheduled to be archived. This page may not contain the most updated version of the information and is being retained for reference until 1 August 2024.
Please see the Cochrane Library editorial policy on peer review.
Editors may refer to Peer review in the revised editorial guidance resource.
Peer reviewers are requested to be aware of, and to follow, the Committee on Publication Ethics’ Ethical guidelines for peer reviewers. In summary, peer reviewers should:
- only agree to review manuscripts for which they have the subject expertise required to carry out a proper assessment and which they can assess in a timely manner.
- respect the confidentiality of peer review and not reveal any details of a manuscript or its review, during or after the peer-review process, beyond those that are released by the journal.
- not use information obtained during the peer-review process for their own or any other person’s or organization’s advantage, or to disadvantage or discredit others.
- declare all potential conflicting interests, seeking advice from the journal if they are unsure whether something constitutes a relevant interest.
- not allow their reviews to be in influenced by the origins of a manuscript, by the nationality, religious or political beliefs, gender or other characteristics of the authors, or by commercial considerations.
- be objective and constructive in their reviews, refraining from being hostile or in inflammatory and from making libellous or derogatory personal comments.
- acknowledge that peer review is largely a reciprocal endeavour and undertake to carry out their fair share of reviewing and in a timely manner.
- provide personal and professional information that is accurate and a true representation of their expertise.
- recognize that impersonation of another individual during the review process is considered serious misconduct.