> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.researchhub.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.researchhub.com/researchhub-foundation/programs-and-initiatives/peer-review-program/peer-review-guidelines/manuscript-evaluation-guidelines.md).

# Manuscript Evaluation Guidelines

The recommendations below list expectations from editors to peer reviewers regarding individual sections of the peer review for manuscripts/preprints. Please follow these guidelines to provide concise and actionable feedback, avoiding unnecessary summaries and lengthy reviews.

### General Guidelines

* Please be constructive, respectful, and professional
* Please refrain from summarizing manuscripts.
* Please avoid vague or generic statements.
* Please identify specific issues and areas for improvement
* Please provide actionable feedback to improve scientific rigor, clarity, and impact.
* AI tools may be used for copy-editing purposes only, provided that disclosure is made.

#### Conflict of Interest

* Do you have any conflicts of interest that could bias your ability to provide an independent review?

{% hint style="info" %}
Please justify your responses to each question below.
{% endhint %}

### Overall Assessment

| <p><br></p>                 | **Questions for Initial Review**                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
| --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Originality and Novelty** | <ul><li>Does the manuscript present a novel contribution to the field?</li><li>Is the research question clearly stated and relevant?</li><li>Does the manuscript fill a gap in existing knowledge or provide new insights?</li></ul> |
| **Scope and Impact**        | <ul><li>Is the study within the journal’s scope?</li><li>Does the manuscript have a significant scientific or practical impact?</li></ul>                                                                                            |
| **Clarity and Focus**       | <ul><li>Is the writing clear, concise, and well-organized?</li><li>Are the study’s objectives and conclusions well-aligned?</li></ul>                                                                                                |
| **Title and Abstract**      | <ul><li>Is the title clear and accurate? And does it represent the study?</li><li>Does the abstract accurately summarize the key findings and significance of the study?</li></ul>                                                   |

### Introduction

| <p><br></p>      | **Questions for Initial Review**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| ---------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Introduction** | <ul><li>Is the introduction well-structured, providing sufficient background and context for the study?</li><li>Are the research objectives or hypotheses clearly stated?</li><li>Does the introduction provide relevant, up-to-date, and correct references?</li></ul> |

### Methods

| <p><br></p> | **Questions for Initial Review**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
| ----------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Rigor**   | <ul><li>Are the methods appropriate and sufficiently detailed to allow reproducibility?</li><li>Are the study design, sample size, and data collection procedures justified and adequate?</li><li>Are the statistical methods, sample size, and controls appropriate?</li></ul> |
| **Methods** | <ul><li>Does the study adhere to ethical guidelines (e.g., animal or human research) if applicable?</li></ul>                                                                                                                                                                   |

### Results

| <p><br></p>        | **Questions for Initial Review**                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Interpretation** | <ul><li>Are the findings interpreted correctly and supported by the data?</li><li>Are the results overinterpreted or overstated?</li><li>Are there any inconsistencies or ambiguities in the results?</li></ul>                                  |
| **Presentation**   | <ul><li>Are the results presented clearly and well-organized?</li><li>Are figures, tables, and supplementary materials accurately labeled and relevant?</li><li>Are statistical results reported accurately and interpreted correctly?</li></ul> |

### Discussion

| <p><br></p>     | **Questions for Initial Review**                                                                |
| --------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Context**     | <ul><li>Does the discussion place the findings in the context of existing literature?</li></ul> |
| **Conclusions** | <ul><li>Do the results support the conclusions?</li></ul>                                       |
| **Limitations** | <ul><li>Does the discussion include the study’s limitations?</li></ul>                          |

### Final Recommendation (If Applicable)

What is your final recommendation for publication: accept, minor revision, major revision, or reject?<br>