A peer review system is commonly used for reviewing manuscripts and grants, and the scientific community relies upon this system to promote the quality and integrity of biomedical research. Reviewers play a critical role in the process, and it is essential they: have appropriate expertise; be unbiased, fair, and reasonable in their expectations/requests; provide a rationale for negative comments; and respond in a timely manner.

Reviewers also should: recuse themselves from the review process if they have a potential conflict of interest (e.g. the possibility of a personal financial gain/loss from publication of the manuscript); treat information obtained in reviews confidentially; not use the reviewed information to further personal research prior to its publication; and not unduly delay competitors’ manuscripts for publication.