Become a Peer Reviewer for IMJH
International Medical Journal of Health (IMJH)
ISSN: 2395-6291 | Join Our Global Reviewer Network | COPE Member
"Peer review is the cornerstone of scientific publishing. The quality of a journal is determined by the quality of its reviewers. At IMJH, we recognize that our reviewers are our most valuable partners in maintaining scholarly integrity."
Active Reviewers
Countries
Review Speed
Recognition
Reviewer Program Overview
1. Why Become a Peer Reviewer?
Contribute to Science
- Guardian of Quality: Peer review is the primary mechanism by which the quality of research articles is judged. As a reviewer, you become a guardian of scientific integrity.
- Shape the Literature: Your feedback directly influences which research gets published and how it is presented to the medical community.
- Give Back: Reviewing is an opportunity to contribute to the scholarly community that supported your own career development.
- Protect Patients: Rigorous peer review ensures that only valid, reliable research informs clinical practice and patient care.
Professional Development
- Stay Current: Reviewing keeps you at the forefront of your specialty, exposing you to new research before it is published.
- Improve Your Own Writing: Critically evaluating others' work sharpens your ability to write and revise your own manuscripts.
- Build Your CV: Peer review service is a valued academic achievement recognized by promotion and tenure committees.
- Network with Editors: Develop relationships with editorial teams and potentially qualify for editorial board positions.
What Our Reviewers Say
"Reviewing for IMJH has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my academic career. The editorial team is responsive, the process is efficient, and I know my feedback helps authors improve their work."
— Dr. Priya Sharma, AIIMS Delhi, 47 reviews completed
"As an early-career researcher, being invited to review for IMJH was a validation of my expertise. The reviewer training resources helped me develop confidence and skill in providing constructive feedback."
— Dr. Michael Chen, National University of Singapore, 12 reviews completed
2. Eligibility Criteria for Reviewers
Minimum Qualifications
IMJH seeks reviewers with demonstrated expertise in their field and a commitment to ethical, timely, and constructive peer review.
Required Qualifications
- Advanced Degree: MD, PhD, PharmD, or equivalent terminal degree in a biomedical field
- Publication Record: At least 3 peer-reviewed publications in reputable journals (as author or co-author)
- Clinical/Research Experience: Minimum 3 years of active research or clinical practice in your specialty
- Affiliation: Current appointment at a recognized academic institution, hospital, or research organization
- English Proficiency: Ability to read and write scientific English at a professional level
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous Reviewing Experience: Prior peer review experience for any indexed journal
- Methodology Expertise: Specialized knowledge in biostatistics, epidemiology, or research methodology
- COPE/Ethics Training: Completion of ethics training programs (WAME eLP, COPE eLearning, or similar)
- ORCID iD: Registered ORCID identifier linked to your publication record
- Diversity: Reviewers from underrepresented regions and institutions are especially encouraged
Early-Career Researchers Welcome
IMJH is committed to developing the next generation of peer reviewers. If you are a postdoctoral fellow, senior resident, or early-career faculty member who meets the publication requirements, we encourage you to apply. Mentorship and training resources are available.
3. Reviewer Application Process
Submit Application
Complete online form with CV and areas of expertise
Initial Review
Editorial office verifies qualifications and expertise
Training Module
Complete brief reviewer orientation (15 minutes)
Active Status
Added to reviewer database; receives invitations
Required Application Materials
- Curriculum Vitae: Detailed CV including education, appointments, publications, and prior reviewing experience
- Areas of Expertise: Selection from our specialty list with specific keywords (e.g., "cardiology - heart failure - biomarkers")
- ORCID iD: Your unique researcher identifier (recommended)
- Publication List: 3-5 most relevant publications with PMIDs or DOIs
- Brief Statement: Optional paragraph describing your motivation to review (100-200 words)
- Conflict Declaration: Disclosure of any potential conflicts with IMJH
- Reviewer Pledge: Agreement to adhere to IMJH Reviewer Code of Conduct
4. Reviewer Responsibilities and Code of Conduct
IMJH Reviewer Code of Conduct
All IMJH reviewers agree to uphold the highest ethical standards in peer review, in accordance with COPE guidelines.
Core Responsibilities
- Timeliness: Accept or decline invitations within 48 hours; submit reviews by deadline (typically 7 days)
- Decline Appropriately: Promptly decline if unqualified, busy, or conflicted; suggest alternative reviewers when possible
- Confidentiality: Treat manuscripts as privileged information; do not discuss or share with others without permission
- Objectivity: Evaluate work based on scientific merit, not personal bias or commercial interest
- Constructiveness: Provide specific, respectful feedback that helps authors improve their work
Ethical Obligations
- Conflict Disclosure: Recuse yourself if you have competing interests (financial, personal, professional, institutional)
- Citation Verification: Identify relevant published work not cited by authors
- Similarity Reporting: Alert editor to substantial overlap with other published articles
- No Author Contact: Do not contact authors directly about their manuscript
- No Misuse: Do not use unpublished information for personal advantage
What Reviewers Must Avoid
- Personal Criticism: Focus on the work, not the authors
- Delaying Tactics: Accepting then delaying to disadvantage competitors
- Coercive Citation: Suggesting citations to inflate your own metrics
- Breaching Confidentiality: Discussing manuscript with non-authorized individuals
- Ghost Reviewing: Delegating review to unacknowledged colleagues
- Author Contact: Communicating with authors without editor permission
- Data Theft: Using unpublished ideas or data for your own research
- Biased Recommendations: Recommending acceptance/rejection based on non-scientific factors
5. How to Write a Quality Peer Review
Structured Review Format
IMJH uses a structured review format to ensure comprehensive, actionable feedback for authors and editors.
Review Components
- Summary Statement: 1-2 sentences summarizing the paper and your overall assessment
- Major Comments: Substantive issues affecting validity, methodology, interpretation, or conclusions
- Minor Comments: Clarifications, additional analyses, presentation issues
- Specific Recommendations: Line-by-line or section-specific suggestions
- Confidential Comments to Editor: Additional concerns not for authors (optional)
Evaluation Criteria
- Originality: Novel contribution to the field
- Significance: Importance to science, clinical practice, or public health
- Methodology: Appropriateness and rigor of study design
- Validity: Soundness of data, analysis, and interpretation
- Clarity: Logical organization and clear writing
- Ethics: Compliance with ethical standards, patient consent, approvals
- References: Appropriate and current literature cited
IMJH Review Template
SUMMARY:
[Brief 1-2 sentence summary of the paper and your overall impression]
MAJOR COMMENTS:
1. [First major issue - e.g., methodological flaw, missing control group, inappropriate statistical test]
2. [Second major issue - e.g., conclusions not supported by data]
MINOR COMMENTS:
1. [Page/Line] - [Specific suggestion for clarification or improvement]
2. [Page/Line] - [Additional analysis or presentation suggestion]
RECOMMENDATION:
[ ] Accept
[ ] Minor Revision
[ ] Major Revision
[ ] Reject
[ ] Transfer to different article type
6. Benefits of Reviewing for IMJH
Official Recognition
Annual certificate of appreciation listing all reviews completed. Cumulative recognition for 10+ reviews.
Reviewer Awards
Annual Outstanding Reviewer Awards for excellence in review quality and timeliness.
Journal Access
6-month complimentary access to full IMJH archives after completing 3 reviews.
APC Discount
20% discount on article processing charges for reviewers who have completed 5+ reviews.
Editorial Board
Outstanding reviewers may be invited to join the Editorial Board.
Free Training
Access to WAME eLearning Program and COPE resources through IMJH membership.
Reviewer Recognition Program
| Level | Reviews Completed | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze | 1-4 reviews | Annual certificate, training access |
| Silver | 5-9 reviews | 20% APC discount, journal access |
| Gold | 10-19 reviews | 30% APC discount, eligibility for Reviewer Awards |
| Platinum | 20+ reviews | 50% APC discount, editorial board consideration |
7. Reviewer Recognition and Public Acknowledgment
IMJH Values Its Reviewers
We believe that peer review is an unpaid scholarly contribution that deserves formal recognition.
Annual Reviewer Acknowledgement
- Names of all reviewers published in the December issue each year
- Searchable online listing of reviewers by specialty and country
- Individual annual certificate with total reviews completed
Outstanding Reviewer Awards
- Excellence in Review Quality: Awarded annually to top 5% of reviewers based on editor ratings
- Rapid Reviewer Award: Recognition for consistently submitting reviews before deadline
- Early Career Reviewer Award: Outstanding reviews by reviewers with less than 3 years experience
Publons and ORCID Integration
IMJH automatically credits reviewers through:
- Publons/Web of Science Reviewer Recognition: Your reviews are automatically added to your Publons profile (with your permission)
- ORCID: Peer review activity can be added to your ORCID record
- CrossRef: Review recognition services for participating institutions
You control your privacy settings. Reviews can be credited anonymously or with your name visible.
8. Free Reviewer Training and Development
IMJH Provides Free Access to World-Class Training
As a COPE member, IMJH offers our reviewers free access to leading ethics and peer review training programs.
WAME eLearning Program
World Association of Medical Editors free comprehensive training for editors and reviewers:
- Section 3: Manuscript Processing - Peer review procedures and decisions
- Section 4: Ethics - Conflicts of interest, authorship, misconduct
- Certificate awarded upon completion
COPE eLearning
Committee on Publication Ethics interactive learning modules:
- Reviewer Misconduct: Identifying and addressing ethical breaches
- Conflicts of Interest: Recognition and management
- Plagiarism: Detection and handling
IMJH Reviewer Orientation
- 15-minute online module: Required for all new reviewers
- Covers: IMJH review format, submission system, ethical expectations
- Available: Upon acceptance to reviewer program
Reviewer Resource Library
- COPE flowcharts for ethical dilemmas
- EQUATOR Network reporting guidelines
- ICMJE Recommendations
- Sample high-quality reviews (anonymized)
9. Frequently Asked Questions
10. Apply to Become an IMJH Reviewer
Ready to Join Our Reviewer Network?
Submit your application today:
Option 1: Email Application
Send your CV and areas of expertise to:
Primary: info@imjhealth.org
Secondary: info.imjh@gmail.com
Subject: "Reviewer Application: [Your Specialty]"
Applications processed within 10 business days
You will receive confirmation and next steps via email
Join 450+ Reviewers
42 countries | 30+ specialties | Global expertise
Reviewer Quote:
"Reviewing for IMJH has been professionally rewarding and helped me stay current in my field."
IMJH Commitment to Peer Review Integrity
IMJH is a member of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and follows COPE's Core Practices and guidelines for peer review. Our peer review process is:
- Double-Blind: Reviewers and authors are anonymous
- Timely: Average 5-7 day review turnaround
- Constructive: Focus on improving research quality
- Ethical: COPE-compliant standards
- Recognized: Publons/ORCID integration
- Supported: Free reviewer training provided