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Reviewer Hub

Guidelines for peer reviewers

All BJPsych journals have general guidelines when constructing a review. Please consider the following.

Review guidelines:

  • Please number your comments consecutively.
  • Please do not include a recommendation for publication in your comments to authors.
  • Review supplemental files by navigating from the 'Proofs' tab to the 'Files' tab.
  • Please check authors have followed the registered protocol for RCTs and systematic reviews, noting unexplained changes.
  • Please note that one-line reviews do not help the editor to reach informed decisions.
  • If you find the manuscript is difficult to review in detail because of major flaws or poor writing, please offer brief comments to enable us to respond to the authors quickly.

BJPsych Bulletin has key points to consider when writing a review:

  • Is this paper suitable for publication and of interest to College members worldwide?
  • Is it scientifically/factually sound?
  • If amendments need to be made, which areas should the authors focus on?
  • Some papers we receive need to be reduced in length substantially. We would value your comments on any sections that could be removed or condensed.

Peer Reviewer Recognition

RCPsych Publishing

We are always working on how we can better support and appreciate our reviewers. During the Annual RCPsych Publishing Awards, chosen reviewers are awarded the 'Reviewer Recognition Award' award from the respective Editors-in-Chief. Take a look at the 2020 Award Winners here.

Publons

BJPsych Journals are partnered with Publons. Peer reviewing is an essential part of scholarly academic research. Publons gives reviewers the opportunity to be widely recognised for their contributions to peer review. View the CUP guide to Publons for more information.

Thank You Listings

We publish a list of our peer reviewers on our website and in the print journals with a thank you to their commitment and support to the journal. Take a look at the BJPsych Bulletin 2020 Reviewers here.

Useful external resources for peer reviewers

There are a number of resources available for peer reviewers online for free. Below we have highlighted a list of useful resources our peer reviewers might be interested in.