As a peer reviewer for SIMBION: Journal of Science Biology and Online Learning, your role is crucial in ensuring the quality and integrity of the articles we publish. Before accepting or declining a review invitation, please consider the following:

1. Match with Expertise: Ensure the article aligns with your area of expertise. Only accept the invitation if you are confident in your ability to provide a thorough and high-quality review.
2. Potential Conflicts of Interest: If you have any potential conflicts of interest, please disclose them to the editor immediately. Transparency is essential to maintain the integrity of the review process.
3. Time Commitment: Reviewing an article can be time-intensive. Before accepting, make sure you can meet the review deadline. If you cannot commit, please decline the invitation promptly.
4. Respond Promptly: Whether you accept or decline the review invitation, respond as quickly as possible. Delayed responses can slow down the entire review process. If you decline, please suggest alternative reviewers who may be better suited to the task.

Review Comments

Your review is instrumental in helping the editor decide on the publication of the article. It’s important to provide an overall opinion and detailed observations on the manuscript. Your comments should be respectful, constructive, and free of personal remarks or identifying information, including your name.

Highlighting any deficiencies or areas for improvement is vital. Be sure to explain and support your judgments so that both the editors and authors can clearly understand the reasoning behind your feedback. Clarify whether your comments reflect your own opinions or are based on data presented in the manuscript.

Reviewer Checklist

When reviewing an article, consider the following points:

• Overall Impressions: Assess whether the article is novel, interesting, and contributes meaningfully to the field.
• Specific Comments: Provide detailed feedback on aspects such as the layout, format, title, abstract, introduction, methodology, statistical analysis, results, conclusion/discussion, language, and references.
• Ethical Concerns: If you suspect plagiarism, data fabrication, or have other ethical concerns, raise these with the editor, providing as much detail as possible. Refer to SIMBION’s Publication Ethics guidelines or COPE guidelines for more information.
• Confidentiality: According to COPE guidelines, all manuscripts under review must be treated as confidential documents. Do not share the manuscript or discuss its content with others without explicit permission from the editors. This confidentiality extends both during and after the review process.
• Citation Suggestions: Any recommendations for citing specific works, including your own, should be based on genuine scientific relevance and not intended to artificially boost citation counts.

Final Decision

The final decision on whether to accept or reject the article rests with the editor of SIMBION. The editor will consider all reviewers’ feedback and may seek a third opinion or request revisions from the author before making a final determination. Your input is a valuable part of this decision-making process, and we appreciate your dedication to maintaining the high standards of our journal.