Boffin Access – Reviewer Roles and Responsibilities

At Boffin Access, we recognize that peer reviewers are the cornerstone of scholarly publishing. Their expertise, time, and dedication ensure that the research we publish meets the highest standards of quality, rigor, and integrity. By serving as reviewers, scholars contribute to the advancement of open science and help shape the future of global knowledge.

Selection & Acceptance

If invited to review a manuscript, please confirm your availability at the earliest opportunity. If you are unable to complete the review due to time constraints, competing commitments, or subject-matter limitations, inform the editorial office immediately so that alternative reviewers may be assigned.

Expertise

Only accept manuscripts that match your area of expertise. If the paper lies outside your domain, notify the handling editor promptly and recommend alternate reviewers if possible.

Code of Conduct

Reviewers must provide fair, objective, and constructive feedback. Criticism should be professional and aimed at helping authors strengthen their manuscript. Reviews must never be influenced by personal, financial, or institutional bias.

Conflicts of Interest

Declare any actual or potential conflicts of interest that could compromise your impartiality, including financial, collaborative, or personal relationships with the authors. If a conflict exists, decline the review request.

Decision-Making

Your recommendation should be guided by the manuscript’s scientific merit, originality, methodology, and contribution to the field. Clearly articulate reasons for your decision and suggest specific revisions where appropriate.

Editorial Authority

The Editor-in-Chief (EiC) has the final authority to accept or reject a manuscript. Reviewer feedback is highly valued and plays a central role in decision-making, but the EiC ensures decisions align with the journal’s aims, scope, and ethical policies.

Confidentiality

Manuscripts under review are confidential documents. Reviewers must not share, distribute, or discuss the manuscript with others without explicit permission from the editorial office. Under Boffin Access’s double-blind peer review policy, reviewers must not attempt to identify or contact authors.

Reviewer Recognition & Benefits

Although Boffin Access does not offer financial compensation, we are committed to recognizing the invaluable contributions of our reviewers. Benefits include:

• Formal reviewer acknowledgment certificates.
• Annual recognition of outstanding reviewers.
• Discounts on Article Processing Charges (APCs) for active reviewers.
• Eligibility for inclusion in Boffin Access’s “Reviewer Excellence Program.”

By reviewing for Boffin Access, scholars gain visibility in their research community while supporting a global open-access mission.