Reviewer Ethics Guidelines
At Potroput (পত্রপুট), we uphold the highest ethical standards in peer review. Reviewers play a crucial role in maintaining the quality and integrity of academic publishing. These guidelines outline the ethical responsibilities and expectations for all reviewers.
Core Ethical Principles
Confidentiality
Reviewers must treat all manuscripts as confidential documents. They should not share, discuss, or use any information from the manuscript for personal gain.
- Do not share manuscript with others without permission
- Do not use information for personal research
- Destroy manuscripts after review
- Maintain anonymity throughout the process
Objectivity and Fairness
Reviews must be objective, fair, and constructive. Personal opinions or biases should not influence the evaluation.
- Evaluate based on scientific merit only
- Avoid personal or institutional biases
- Provide constructive feedback
- Support comments with evidence
Timeliness
Reviewers should complete their reviews within the agreed timeframe to ensure timely publication.
- Respond promptly to review invitations
- Complete reviews by the deadline
- Notify editors if unable to meet deadlines
- Decline if you cannot commit to the timeline
Conflict of Interest
Reviewers must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could affect their objectivity.
- Declare any personal or professional relationships
- Recuse yourself if conflict exists
- Do not review work by close colleagues or competitors
- Inform editor of any potential bias
Quality and Thoroughness
Reviews should be thorough, well-reasoned, and provide constructive feedback to authors.
- Read the manuscript carefully and completely
- Evaluate methodology and statistics
- Check for ethical compliance
- Provide detailed, constructive feedback
Respect and Civility
Reviews should be conducted with respect and civility. Critique should be professional and constructive.
- Use professional language
- Focus on the work, not the person
- Provide balanced feedback
- Acknowledge positive aspects
Additional Guidelines
Do Not Cite Your Own Work
Unless essential and well-justified, avoid citing your own work in the review. This could create a conflict of interest.
Protect Anonymity
In double-blind review, do not try to identify the authors. If you suspect you know the authors, inform the editor.
Report Ethical Issues
If you spot plagiarism, data fabrication, or other ethical issues, report them to the editor immediately.
Maintain Professionalism
Keep all communications professional and respectful. Do not engage in personal attacks or unprofessional behavior.
Follow Journal Policies
Familiarize yourself with the journal's policies and guidelines before accepting a review invitation.
Provide Detailed Feedback
Give specific, actionable feedback that helps authors improve their manuscript.
COPE Guidelines Compliance
Potroput (পত্রপুট) follows the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines for peer review. Reviewers are expected to adhere to COPE's Ethical Guidelines for Peer Reviewers.
View COPE Guidelines