Conflicting Interests

Reviewers are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest. If uncertain about a possible conflict that could affect your ability to provide an unbiased review, please raise this with the journal. Conflicting interests can include personal, financial, intellectual, professional, political, or religious factors. You should not review a manuscript if you are currently employed by the same institution as any of the authors or have had recent professional relationships (e.g., within the last three years as a mentor, mentee, collaborator, or grant co-recipient). Additionally, do not agree to review solely for early access to the content, without intending to submit a review, or if the manuscript closely resembles work you currently have in progress or under consideration elsewhere. (Ref: COPE guideline)

Bias and Competing Interests

It is crucial to remain objective, free from bias related to the authors' nationality, religious or political beliefs, gender, or other personal characteristics, as well as any commercial interests. If you identify a potential conflict that could prevent a fair and unbiased review, inform the journal and seek guidance (e.g., see COPE Case 15-05 on authorship conflicts). While awaiting a response, refrain from accessing the manuscript and its associated materials in case the review assignment is withdrawn. Similarly, if you determine that you lack the necessary expertise to assess certain aspects of a manuscript, inform the journal promptly to prevent unnecessary delays. In cases of blind review, if you suspect you know the authors' identities and this might present a conflict, notify the journal immediately.