Australian Journal of Botany
  1. You are here:
  2. Home
  3. Journals
  4. Referee Guidelines

Referee Guidelines

Paradise: Referee Guidelines

Thank you for agreeing to serve as a referee for Paradise. Your expertise and commitment are essential to maintaining the quality and integrity of the research we publish. To assist you in providing thorough and constructive peer reviews, we offer the following detailed guidelines.

1. Role and Responsibilities of Referees

As a referee, your primary responsibility is to provide an unbiased, timely, and constructive evaluation of manuscripts assigned to you. Your review should help the Editorial Board make informed decisions regarding the suitability of the manuscript for publication, and assist authors in improving the quality of their work.

You should:

  • Assess the scientific validity, originality, and significance of the research.

  • Evaluate the clarity and coherence of the presentation.

  • Check that the methods, data analysis, and conclusions are sound and well-supported.

  • Identify any ethical concerns, including potential plagiarism or data fabrication.

  • Provide detailed comments to both the editor and authors, including recommendations for acceptance, revision, or rejection.

2. Confidentiality

All manuscripts and associated data are confidential. You must not:

  • Share the manuscript or its contents with anyone outside the review process.

  • Use any unpublished information for your own research or benefit.

  • Contact the authors directly without editorial approval.

3. Conflict of Interest

If you have any conflict of interest (personal, financial, professional, or otherwise) that could bias your review, you should disclose this to the Editorial Office immediately and decline to review if necessary.

4. Timeliness

Peer review is most effective when conducted promptly. We request that reviews be completed within 3 weeks of receiving the manuscript. If you require an extension or must decline, please notify the Editorial Office as soon as possible.

5. Evaluation Criteria

When reviewing a manuscript for Paradise, please consider the following aspects carefully:

5.1 Originality and Novelty

  • Does the manuscript present original research, new hypotheses, or novel insights?

  • Are the results and interpretations novel and significant to the field of polymolecular medicine and related areas?

5.2 Scope and Relevance

  • Is the manuscript within the scope of Paradise?

  • Will the content be of interest to the journal’s readership?

5.3 Scientific Rigor and Methodology

  • Are the experimental or theoretical methods appropriate and adequately described?

  • Are the data collection and analysis methods sound and reproducible?

  • Are controls and replicates included where necessary?

5.4 Data Presentation and Analysis

  • Are the results clearly and logically presented?

  • Are figures, tables, and supplementary materials adequate and of high quality?

  • Are statistical analyses appropriate and correctly interpreted?

5.5 Clarity and Quality of Writing

  • Is the manuscript well-organized and clearly written?

  • Are technical terms and abbreviations used appropriately and defined?

  • Is the English language clear and free of errors that hinder understanding?

5.6 Ethical Considerations

  • Does the manuscript comply with ethical guidelines for research involving humans, animals, or sensitive data?

  • Are proper permissions and consents documented?

5.7 References and Citation

  • Are citations appropriate, current, and comprehensive?

  • Is any relevant literature omitted that should be considered?

6. Recommendation Options

Please provide a clear recommendation based on your assessment:

  • Accept as is: The manuscript is suitable for publication without changes.

  • Minor revision: The manuscript requires minor improvements or clarifications before publication.

  • Major revision: Significant changes are needed before the manuscript can be reconsidered.

  • Reject: The manuscript is not suitable for publication in Paradise.

7. Writing Your Review

Your report should include:

  • Summary: A brief overview of the study’s purpose, methods, and key findings.

  • Major Comments: Essential issues that must be addressed before acceptance.

  • Minor Comments: Smaller concerns such as clarifications, typographical errors, or formatting.

  • Confidential Comments to the Editor (optional): Any concerns you prefer not to share with the authors.

Your tone should be respectful and professional, focusing on constructive feedback to help authors improve their work.

8. Handling Ethical Issues

If you suspect ethical problems such as plagiarism, duplicate publication, data fabrication, or other misconduct, please notify the Editorial Office confidentially and provide evidence or details.

9. Final Steps

Once your review is completed, please submit it through the journal’s online system. Should you have difficulty with the system or need assistance, contact the Editorial Office promptly.

10. Reviewer Recognition

We greatly appreciate your time and expertise. Reviewers for Paradise will receive acknowledgment annually, and may be invited to join the Editorial Board based on review quality and frequency.

Thank you for contributing to Paradise. Your work as a referee ensures the journal’s continued excellence and supports the advancement of knowledge in polymolecular medicine and related fields.