Support Center For Reviewers
Learning the Website of PoEM for Reviewers
The website of PoEM provides a platform where Editors can invite individuals to participate in peer review. If you have been asked to review a submission, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to perform a successful review.
Responding to a Review Request
You will receive an invitation to review from a journal editor or section editor. This invitation will come via email, containing essential details about the manuscript you are being asked to evaluate (title, abstract, relevant dates) along with a link to respond to the request.
To reply to the request, follow the provided link or log into your account on the website of PoEM. If you do not already have an account, the editor may have invited you to create one.
Once logged in, you will find the Review Assignment for this request in your Review Assignments Dashboard. If the manuscript is not visible, please contact the journal editor.
At the top-right of the screen, the bell icon (notifications) will indicate any outstanding tasks. The review assignment will appear here.
From your Submissions Dashboard, click the "Respond to Request" button to access your Review Assignment.
Information Displayed
The following information about the submission and the review will be displayed:
- Article Title: The title of the manuscript you are asked to review
- Abstract: The abstract of the manuscript
- Review Type: The type of review you are being requested to perform
- Review Files: All relevant files associated with the manuscript
- Review Schedule: The dates for when the review request was sent, the due date for your response, and the review's submission deadline
Review Types
The Review Type is determined by the journal's editor. There are three review types available:
- Anonymous Reviewer/Anonymous Author: A double-blind review, where neither the reviewer nor the author know each other's identity
- Anonymous Reviewer/Disclosed Author: The reviewer's identity remains hidden from the author, but the reviewer knows who the author is
- Open: Both the reviewer and the author know each other's identities
The Review Schedule is also set by the journal editor. Please note that these dates cannot be modified by the reviewer. These dates are provided to help you assess whether you can meet the deadlines. If you wish to propose new deadlines, contact the journal editor before accepting the review request.
You can click "View All Submission Details" for further information, such as keywords or the author's name (if disclosed).
Additionally, you will be required to agree to the collection and storage of your data in accordance with the journal's privacy statement, which you can review before agreeing. From this step, you can either accept or decline the review request.
To accept, click "Accept Review, Continue to Step #2". To decline, click "Decline Review Request".
Reviewing the Guidelines
If the journal's editors have provided Reviewer Guidelines, they will appear during the second step of the review process. Be sure to read these guidelines thoroughly before you begin your review.
You can access these guidelines at any time by clicking on the "2. Guidelines" tab.
Once you've reviewed the guidelines, click Continue to proceed to Step 3.
Conducting the Review
At this point, you can download the review files and begin drafting your review comments. The first text box is for comments intended for both the editor and the author, while the second box is solely for the editor.
If the journal editor has supplied a Review Form, it will be visible at this stage. Fill out the form according to the editor's instructions.
Uploading Files
Once you've reviewed the manuscript and added your comments, you can optionally upload a marked-up version of the manuscript in the "Upload" section.
If the review type is anonymous, ensure that all personal identifiers are removed from the file before uploading it.
Making Your Recommendation
Next, make your recommendation using the dropdown menu. Your options include:
- Accept Submission: The manuscript requires no further changes
- Revisions Required: Minor revisions are needed
- Resubmit for Review: Major revisions are required, and the manuscript should undergo another round of peer review
- Resubmit Elsewhere: The manuscript is not suitable for this journal's scope
- Decline Submission: The manuscript does not meet the journal's requirements and is not suitable for publication
- See Comments: If none of the above options seem fitting, you can leave a detailed comment for the editor
Please note that some options may not be available depending on the journal's settings.
Communicating with Editors via Discussions
During both Step 3 (Download & Review) and Step 4 (Completion), you can use the Review Discussion panel to communicate directly with Editors. This is a helpful tool if you have any questions about the manuscript or the review process.
To start a new discussion, click the "Add Discussion" button. You can then choose which editor(s) should receive the message, enter a subject and body, and optionally upload attachments.
Click any discussion in the panel to read replies or add further messages.
Completing the Review
Once you are satisfied with your review and recommendation, click the "Submit Review" button to finish. You will be asked to confirm your decision.
After confirming, you'll be directed to the final confirmation screen, where you will be thanked for your contribution.
That's it! Your review is now complete.