Help Center

FAQs for Reviewers

This page answers common questions from reviewers working with AcademicProceeding.org under the Society of Integrated Academic Research and Education (SIARE).

It covers reviewer expectations, confidentiality, ethics, review criteria, recommendations, timelines, and reviewer recognition.

Before Accepting

Fit, availability, expertise, and conflicts of interest.

During Review

Evaluation quality, comments, confidentiality, and conduct.

Ethics & Integrity

Misconduct concerns, suspicious content, and fair review.

Recognition

Completion acknowledgement and reviewer credit.

Accepting a Review Invitation

Questions about suitability, conflicts, and timing before you agree to review.

When should I accept a review invitation?

Accept only if the manuscript matches your expertise, you can provide an objective review, and you are able to complete it within the requested timeframe.

What if I have a conflict of interest?

You should disclose the conflict promptly and normally decline the assignment if the conflict could affect, or appear to affect, impartiality.

What if I am not the right expert for the paper?

You should decline the review rather than submit a weak or speculative evaluation. Where appropriate, you may suggest a qualified alternative reviewer.

Can I ask someone else to help me review?

Not without explicit editorial permission. Manuscripts under review are confidential and should not be shared with others unless authorized.

Review Quality & Evaluation

Questions about what reviewers are expected to assess and how to structure feedback.

What should I focus on in my review?

Reviewers should assess originality, relevance, methodological soundness, clarity, completeness, literature use, presentation quality, and overall suitability for the proceeding.

Should I comment only on weaknesses?

No. A strong review identifies both strengths and weaknesses and gives constructive, evidence-based suggestions that help the editor and the authors.

Can I recommend citations?

Yes, but only where genuinely relevant and useful. Citation suggestions should not be excessive, self-serving, or unrelated to the manuscript’s scholarly needs.

Do I make the final decision?

No. Reviewer recommendations are advisory. Final editorial decisions are made by the editor or editorial authority.

Helpful Tip

Reviewers should also refer to Reviewer Guidelines, Review Criteria & Evaluation, Reviewer Ethical Responsibilities, and Peer Review Policy.

Confidentiality & Ethics

Questions about reviewer conduct, confidentiality, and ethical concerns.

Can I use ideas or data from the manuscript in my own work?

No. Unpublished manuscripts are confidential documents. Their content must not be used for personal, professional, or competitive advantage.

What should I do if I suspect plagiarism or misconduct?

Raise the concern confidentially to the editor in your reviewer comments to the editor. Do not accuse the authors directly in an inappropriate or speculative manner.

Can I include harsh criticism if the paper is weak?

Reviews should remain respectful, professional, and constructive, even where the manuscript has serious weaknesses.

What if I realize I have a conflict after accepting the review?

Inform the editor immediately. The editor will decide whether reassignment is necessary.

Review Submission & Timelines

Questions about deadlines, incomplete reviews, and editorial follow-up.

What if I cannot meet the deadline?

Inform the editorial office as early as possible so they can determine whether a short extension is possible or reassignment is needed.

Can I submit a brief review only?

Reviews should be sufficiently detailed to support editorial decision-making. Very short or unsupported reviews may be less useful and may not meet reviewer expectations.

Will I see the final decision?

That depends on the editorial workflow and system settings of the relevant proceeding. In many cases, reviewers receive decision updates or revision follow-up requests.

Reviewer Recognition

Questions about acknowledgement and professional recognition for review contributions.

Will my review work be recognized?

SIARE values reviewer contributions and may provide recognition in accordance with its Reviewer Recognition practices and applicable proceeding workflows.

Can I receive credit for completed reviews?

Where enabled, completed reviews may be eligible for reviewer credit recognition consistent with the platform’s reviewer recognition approach.

Does recognition affect confidentiality?

Recognition should not compromise the confidentiality requirements of the review process. Recognition is handled in accordance with system settings and policy constraints.

Need Help?

Reviewer Support

For reviewer guidance, ethics queries, or review-process support, please contact:

[email protected]