Reviewer Guidelines
Reviewers are essential to maintaining scientific rigor and patient safety at JMPT. These guidelines outline expectations for constructive, timely, and ethical peer review across clinical and psychological trauma.
Reviewer Expectations
Reviewers should evaluate manuscripts for methodological rigor, data transparency, and clinical relevance. Reviews should be objective and focused on improving the manuscript.
Core Review Criteria
Research Question
Clear and clinically relevant.
Methods
Robust and reproducible.
Data
Availability and integrity.
Results
Evidence supports conclusions.
Ethics and Conduct
Manuscripts and data are confidential and must not be shared.
Complete reviews within the agreed timeframe or notify the office promptly.
Provide actionable guidance and separate major from minor issues.
Disclose conflicts and decline reviews where bias is possible.
Reviewer Standards
Reviews should focus on methods, data integrity, and clinical relevance. Provide clear major and minor recommendations and point to specific sections for revision. Balanced feedback helps authors respond efficiently.
Recognition
Reviewers receive certificates and may be eligible for APC discounts based on service. Recognition letters can support professional development and institutional service reporting.
Confidentiality
Manuscripts are confidential. Do not share data or use unpublished findings. Destroy manuscript files after review to protect privacy and intellectual property.
Review Structure
Begin with a brief summary of the work, followed by major concerns and minor edits. Comment on ethical compliance, statistical reporting, and the clinical relevance of conclusions.
Declining Reviews
If you cannot review within the timeframe or lack expertise, decline promptly so the editor can reassign. Timely declines help keep decisions on schedule.
Bias and Sensitivity
Reviews should be free of personal bias and sensitive to trauma related topics. Focus on evidence, methods, and clarity, and avoid language that may stigmatize participants.
Confidential Reports
Use the confidential comments section for sensitive concerns, such as ethics issues or data integrity questions. This allows the editor to address issues discreetly while keeping author feedback constructive.
Timely Response
Confirm review invitations promptly and adhere to agreed deadlines. Timely reviews keep clinical findings moving toward publication and support author satisfaction.
Constructive Tone
Maintain a respectful, professional tone and focus on evidence based critiques. Constructive feedback improves manuscript quality and supports author development.
Become a reviewer for JMPT
Register to join the reviewer community and support trauma research integrity.