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  :: MORAL DUTIES OF REVIEWERS OF MANUSCRIPTS ::
1. Reviewers should understand importance of reviewing work:-
 
Reviewing, i.e. evaluation of manuscripts is a very important step in the process of publication of manuscripts.

A scientist should, therefore consider it a moral duty and take utmost care to, properly, review all manuscripts received for publication.
 
2. An occasion for return of manuscript to the Editor:-
 
A reviewer, if understands himself poorly qualified for judging manuscripts of research, should return manuscripts at the earliest time, to the Editor/Chief Editor.
 
3. A reviewer should have objective approach about judgment:-
 
It is strongly expected that the reviewer of manuscripts be impartial. His/her method of reviewing be objective with reference to the quality and standard of manuscripts, experimental and theoretical performance, interpretation and explanation and with a sense of respect and appreciation.
4. A reviewer should be aware when he/she finds conflict of interest in the manuscripts received for review:-
 
He/she should be careful and aware when he/she finds similarity of interest between his/her own work in process for publication and that of the work done by the author of manuscript. He/she should immediately return the doubtful manuscript to the Editor indicating the conflict of interest or bias.

The reviewer, for the solution of such problem may insist upon getting a signed letter of consent that the manuscript would be liable to be returned to the author at the Editor’s discretion.
5. Manuscripts from relatives should not be reviewed:-
 
A reviewer should not review manuscripts, authorized or co-authorized by a person who is personally professionally, connected with him/her because it is assumed that such relationship might be based on bias judgment for the manuscript.
 
6. A manuscript for review should be considered as a secret and important document:-
 
The reviewer of a manuscript should consider the manuscript as a very important confidential document. He/she should not disclose its secrecy by telling its theme or showing it to the unreliable person. However, he/she may show it or discuss its contents with the persons or experts who may offer special advice. The reviewer in such case should identify the consulted person to the editor.
 
7. Complete explanation and support for judgment to convince the Editor and authors the criteria of comments:-
 
A reviewer should perfectly explain and support his/her judgment and comments made by him/her while evaluating a manuscript, so that the Editor and authors may understand it.

The relevant criterion should accompany previous statements about observation derivation or previously made arguments about the review. The statement without support of reviewer (or opposed by authors) does not have much value, hence it should be avoided.
 
8. A reviewer should be vigilant about failure of authors to mention relevant work by other scientists:-
 
A reviewer should be very much careful about failure of authors to bring forward, as proof the work of other scientists bearing in mind the complaints that the reviewer’s own research was insufficiently cited may seem self-serving. It is necessary for a reviewer to invite attention of the Editor about similarity between the manuscripts under consideration, papers published previously or any manuscript submitted concurrently to another journal.
 
9. A reviewer should submit the report, to the Editor, at the earliest possible time
(
maximum 10 days):-
 
It is the duty of a reviewer to submit the report about review of manuscript at the earliest time (maximum 10 days).
 
10. Reviewers should avoid using unpublished information:-
 
Reviewers are advised not to use or leak unpublished information, arguments or interpretations as are included in manuscripts. They should seek prior permission of the authors for doing so.

A reviewer should normally discontinue reviewing manuscripts, if his/her work is found likely to be unprofitable.

It would be proper for the reviewer to write to the author, under intimation to the Editor about reviewer’s research and plans in the concerned field.
 
11. The criticism on manuscript should be objective:-
 
A Reviewer should justify criticism made by other reviewer about the submitted manuscript, not only that but he/she should be justifiable agree with such criticism. If such criticism is found appropriate in published papers.

However, it must be remembered that the reviewer’s attempt of criticizing the author personally would be totally improper. In short the criticism should be objective and not subjective.

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