Peer Review Process

What is peer review and how does it work?

Peer review is the system used to assess the quality of a manuscript before it is published. Independent researchers in the relevant research area assess submitted manuscripts for originality, validity, and significance to help editors determine whether a manuscript should be published in their journal.

Peer review is an integral part of scientific publishing that confirms the validity of the manuscript. Peer reviewers are experts who volunteer their time to help improve the manuscripts they review.

When a manuscript is submitted to a journal, it is assessed to see if it meets the criteria for submission. If it does, the editorial team will select potential peer reviewers within the field of research to peer-review the manuscript and make recommendations.

There are four main types of peer review:

  • Single-blind: the reviewers know the names of the authors, but the authors do not know who reviewed their manuscript unless the reviewer chooses to sign their report.
  • Double-blind: the reviewers do not know the names of the authors, and the authors do not know who reviewed their manuscript.
  • Open peer review: authors know who the reviewers are, and the reviewers know who the authors are. If the manuscript is accepted, the named reviewer reports are published alongside the article and the authors’ response to the reviewer.
  • Transparent peer review: the reviewers know the names of the authors, but the authors do not know who reviewed their manuscript unless the reviewer chooses to sign their report. If the manuscript is accepted, the anonymous reviewer reports are published alongside the article and the authors’ response to the reviewer.

GBMN uses a double-blind peer review process with the following steps:

  1. The corresponding author submits the manuscript to GBMN.
  2. After assessment by the editor the manuscript will be: (a) rejected/transferred, or (b) sent to a reviewer for double-blind peer review.
  3. After assessment of the reviewer’s comments the manuscript will be: (a) sent to the author for revision, (b) rejected, or (c) accepted.

Download: Reviewer Checklist (PDF)