Overview

The Lebanese Medical Journal (LMJ) relies on the expertise and commitment of peer reviewers to maintain the quality, integrity, and scientific value of the articles it publishes. Reviewers play a vital role in evaluating the originality, validity, significance, and clarity of submitted manuscripts.

All reviews should be conducted objectively, confidentially, and in accordance with the highest standards of publication ethics.

Reviewer Responsibilities

Reviewers are expected to:

• Provide objective, constructive, and evidence-based evaluations.
• Assess the scientific quality, originality, and relevance of the manuscript.
• Identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding all manuscript content and review materials.
• Declare any potential conflicts of interest before accepting a review assignment.
• Complete reviews within the requested timeframe.

Confidentiality

Manuscripts received for review are confidential documents. Reviewers must:

• Not share manuscripts with colleagues or third parties without prior permission from the Editorial Office.
• Not use unpublished data, findings, or ideas for personal research or advantage.
• Delete manuscript files after completing the review process if requested by the journal.

Conflict of Interest

Reviewers should decline invitations if they have any conflict of interest that may affect their impartiality, including:

• Personal relationships with any author.
• Current or recent research collaborations.
• Financial interests related to the manuscript.
• Institutional affiliations that may influence the review.

Evaluation Criteria

Reviewers are encouraged to assess manuscripts based on the following criteria:

Originality and Significance

• Is the research novel and original?
• Does it contribute meaningfully to existing medical knowledge?
• Is the study relevant to the journal’s scope and readership?

Scientific Quality

• Are the objectives clearly stated?
• Is the study design appropriate?
• Are methods adequately described and scientifically sound?
• Are statistical analyses appropriate and correctly interpreted?

Results and Interpretation

• Are the results presented clearly and accurately?
• Do the data support the conclusions?
• Are limitations adequately discussed?

Organization and Presentation

• Is the manuscript well structured and logically organized?
• Is the language clear and understandable?
• Are tables and figures appropriate and informative?

Ethical Compliance

• Has ethical approval been obtained where required?
• Is informed consent documented when applicable?
• Are ethical standards for human and animal research followed?

Reviewer Recommendations

At the end of the review, reviewers should recommend one of the following decisions:

• Accept
• Minor Revisions
• Major Revisions
• Reject

Reviewers should provide clear comments supporting their recommendation.

Preparing Review Comments

Comments to Authors

Reviewers should:

• Be professional, respectful, and constructive.
• Provide specific suggestions for improvement.
• Identify methodological, statistical, or ethical concerns where applicable.
• Avoid personal criticism of authors.

Confidential Comments to the Editor

Reviewers may provide confidential remarks to the editorial team regarding:

• Ethical concerns.
• Suspected plagiarism or duplicate publication.
• Serious methodological flaws.
• Recommendations that should not be communicated directly to authors.

Ethical Responsibilities

Reviewers should notify the Editorial Office if they identify:

• Plagiarism.
• Data fabrication or falsification.
• Duplicate or redundant publication.
• Unethical research practices.
• Undisclosed conflicts of interest.

Review Timelines

Reviewers are requested to:

• Accept or decline review invitations promptly.
• Submit completed reviews within the deadline specified by the Editorial Office.
• Inform the journal immediately if additional time is required.

Recognition of Reviewers

LMJ highly values the contribution of its reviewers. Reviewer information will remain confidential unless otherwise agreed. The journal may provide certificates of review or acknowledgment of reviewer service in accordance with its editorial policies.

Contact Information

For all reviewer-related inquiries, including review assignments, deadlines, conflicts of interest, or ethical concerns, please contact:

Editorial Office
Lebanese Medical Journal (LMJ)
Email: support@domain.com

The Editorial Board sincerely appreciates the time, expertise, and dedication of reviewers in supporting the journal’s commitment to scientific excellence and high-quality medical research.