Guidelines · Last reviewed
Reviewer guidelines
What makes a good peer review: how to evaluate manuscripts systematically, the criteria CJES uses, and how to write a constructive review report.
What a strong review looks like
A strong review report:
- Judges the quality, originality, and significance of the work
- Provides recommendations the authors can act on
- Cites specific locations in the manuscript (line numbers or sections)
- Avoids personal language; focuses on the work, not the authors
- Distinguishes major issues (must be addressed) from minor or optional suggestions
- Treats authors as colleagues — assume good faith
Evaluation criteria
Please assess each manuscript on:
- Originality and significance — does this work add something new to the field?
- Methods — are the methods appropriate, reproducible, and clearly described?
- Results — do the data support the conclusions drawn?
- Writing and clarity — can a reader in the field follow the argument?
- References — comprehensive and appropriate, citing relevant prior work?
- Research ethics — appropriate ethics approvals, data availability, conflict-of-interest disclosure?
Suggested review report structure
- Summary of the work — 1–2 paragraphs showing you understood the key claims
- Overall assessment — strengths and weaknesses (originality, significance, rigour)
- Major issues — concerns that must be addressed before the work can be accepted
- Minor issues — smaller suggestions, typos, presentation improvements
- Confidential comments to the editor (optional) — issues you don't want the authors to see
Recommendation options
- Accept — the work is well-prepared and ready to publish
- Minor revisions — issues that can be resolved with small changes; usually no re-review needed
- Major revisions — substantial work required, but the manuscript could be salvageable
- Reject — fundamental problems, or the work is not a fit for CJES
The handling editor combines reviewer recommendations with their own assessment to make the final decision.
Timeline and submission
CJES asks reviewers to complete reviews within 3 weeks of accepting an invitation. If you need more time, please notify the handling editor as soon as possible. Submit reviews through the online portal — not by email — to maintain confidentiality and audit trail.