Peer-review responsibilities
For reviewers
IJGH reviewers provide confidential, objective and constructive assessments of population-health and health-systems research. Reports should evaluate evidence and methods and help the editor reach an independent decision.
Contact the editorial officeBefore accepting an invitation
Accept only when the manuscript is within your subject or methodological competence, you can meet the assignment due date and no conflict prevents impartial review.
Conflicts
Availability
Confidentiality
Co-reviewing
What to evaluate
Scope and contribution
Study design and methods
Results and uncertainty
Interpretation
Ethics and integrity
Reporting
Context and limitations
Write a useful report
- Begin with a concise summary of the question and approach
- Separate major concerns from minor corrections
- Explain why each major concern matters and identify supporting evidence
- Distinguish required changes from optional suggestions
- Comment on limitations and whether conclusions are proportionate
- Use respectful, specific and non-discriminatory language
- Keep confidential comments to the editor factual and necessary
Reviewers recommend; editors decide
Give a recommendation consistent with the report, but do not address the author as though you are issuing the editorial decision. Do not request citations to your work unless they are genuinely necessary.
Confidentiality and responsible tool use
Use the manuscript only for review. Do not retain, distribute or use unpublished information for personal or professional benefit. Do not upload manuscript content or the report to a public or third-party generative-AI tool. AI output cannot replace your independent assessment.
Research-integrity concerns
Privately alert the editor to suspected plagiarism, duplicate publication, fabrication, falsification, image or data manipulation, undisclosed conflicts or participant-protection concerns. Provide the specific basis for the concern. Do not investigate independently or contact authors, institutions or third parties.
Reviewer selection and support
Reviewers are selected for each manuscript based on relevant expertise, independence and availability. An expression of interest does not guarantee selection. Reviewing activity, payment, membership or use of a service confers no advantage in the review or acceptance of a reviewer’s own work and does not automatically lead to an editorial appointment.
Assignment-specific questions should be sent through the editorial system or to [email protected].
Questions about an assignment?
Ask the handling editor or editorial office before accepting or sharing any manuscript information.
Contact the editorial office