Rigour begins with people.

For editors

Assess manuscripts on relevance, research quality, ethical acceptability and scholarly contribution. Select suitable reviewers, handle conflicts independently and document editorial decisions.

• Maintain confidentiality throughout the editorial process.
• Reassign manuscripts when you have a relevant conflict of interest.
• Separate scholarly decisions from author payments and waiver requests.
• Investigate integrity concerns fairly and maintain a clear decision record.

For reviewers

Accept a review only when your expertise and available time allow a careful assessment. Declare potential conflicts before accepting and provide constructive, evidence-based feedback.

• Distinguish comments for authors from confidential comments for the editor.
• Assess methods, evidence, reporting and limitations.
• Do not use unpublished work for personal advantage.
• Do not upload confidential manuscripts to unapproved external AI services.

Editorial-board appointments

Each journal’s editorial-board page lists its editors, responsibilities and affiliations. Editors work within a shared framework for independence, confidentiality and conflicts of interest.