Docs/Reviewer Guide
Reviewers

Reviewer Guide

Accepting assignments, downloading manuscripts, submitting review reports, and declaring conflicts of interest.

Role overview

As a reviewer, you play a central role in maintaining the quality and integrity of published research. JMS supports a single-blind review process: you can see the author's identity, but the author does not know who reviewed their work. Your feedback remains confidential until after the editor issues a formal editorial decision.

Getting an invitation

You do not need to create an account before receiving an invitation. When an editor assigns you to a submission, you will receive an email with a tokenized invitation link.

  1. 1
    Open the invitation email and click the link. The link is valid for 7 days.
  2. 2
    A public page displays the journal name, submission title, and review deadline.
  3. 3
    Click Accept to proceed. If you do not yet have a JMS account, one is created automatically.
  4. 4
    You are taken directly to the Review Detail page (/reviews/:id).
If your invitation link has expired, contact the editor directly and ask them to re-send the invitation.

Accepting or declining an assignment

When you first open a review, it is in PENDING status. An Accept/Decline section appears at the top of the page.

To accept

  • Click the Accept button.
  • The review status changes to IN_PROGRESS and the full review form becomes available.

To decline

  • Click the Decline button.
  • An inline form appears asking for an optional reason.
  • Confirm. The editor is notified and the assignment is removed from your list.

Declaring a conflict of interest

If you have a conflict of interest (prior collaboration, financial ties, competitive relationship) — declare it promptly.

  1. 1
    On the Review Detail page, click "Declare a conflict of interest". Available while the review is in PENDING or IN_PROGRESS status.
  2. 2
    An inline form appears. Describe the nature of the conflict.
  3. 3
    Submit the form. The editor is notified immediately.
  4. 4
    A yellow CoI banner appears on your Review Detail page.
Declaring a CoI does not automatically close the review — the editor will decide how to proceed and may reassign the submission.

Downloading the manuscript

The Download Manuscript button is available at all times on the Review Detail page, regardless of review status. Click it to download the submission file and any supplementary materials attached by the author.

Submitting your review

The review form is available when your assignment is in IN_PROGRESS status.

  1. 1
    Select a Decision: Accept, Minor Revision, Major Revision, or Reject.
  2. 2
    Choose a Rating by clicking one of the 1–5 star buttons.
  3. 3
    Write your Feedback in the text area. This field is required. Be specific, constructive, and respectful.
  4. 4
    Click Submit Review.
Once submitted, the status changes to SUBMITTED and your feedback is locked. You cannot edit a submitted review.

Review statuses

StatusMeaning
PENDINGYou have been assigned but have not yet accepted or declined.
IN_PROGRESSYou accepted the assignment and are actively writing your review.
SUBMITTEDYou submitted your completed review. It is now with the editor.
CLOSEDThe review cycle has ended — see note below.
A review can move to CLOSED in several ways: the editor manually closes it, an editorial decision bulk-closes all open reviews on a submission, you decline the assignment, or the author withdraws the submission.

After you submit

  • Your feedback is held confidentially and is not visible to the author until the editor issues a formal decision.
  • The editor may consult multiple reviewer reports before making a decision.
  • Once a decision is issued, the editor's letter — which may include a summary of reviewer comments — is sent to the author.
  • If the submission is withdrawn while your review is active, your review will be closed automatically and you will receive a notification.

Notifications

EventNotification
New review assignmentEmail with invitation link
Author resubmits after revisionEmail alert to re-review
Submission withdrawnEmail confirming your review is closed

FAQs

Can I edit my review after submitting it?

No. Once you click Submit Review, your feedback is locked. If you need to make a correction, contact the editor directly and ask them to reopen the review.

Will the author know who I am?

No. JMS uses a single-blind review model. You can see the author's identity, but the author does not have access to reviewer identities at any stage.

Can I see other reviewers' feedback on the same submission?

No. Reviewer reports are kept separate. You will only see your own review.

I have a conflict of interest but already accepted — what should I do?

Declare the conflict of interest using the link on the Review Detail page as soon as you become aware of it. The editor will be notified and will decide whether to reassign the submission.