Checklists for Authors and Reviewers

This page holds both checklists Brieflands works from: a general checklist that applies to every manuscript, and a reporting checklist for each study design. Reporting checklists set out what a paper of a given study design has to report. Using the right one improves the chance of acceptance, and Brieflands reviewers work from the same checklists when they assess your manuscript.

Before you review: your obligations

The checklists below are about the manuscript. These four duties are about you, and they apply to every review you accept.

• Confidentiality. A manuscript under review is a confidential document. Do not show it, describe it, quote it or forward it to anyone, do not use its content or data in your own work, and do not contact the authors directly. Destroy or delete your copy once the review is complete. Confidentiality survives the review — it does not lapse if the manuscript is rejected. Full terms: Peer Review Policy and Process.
• Declare competing interests, then decide whether to review. Declare any financial or non-financial interest when you accept the invitation, before reading the manuscript — including collaboration or rivalry with the authors, shared institution, recent co-authorship, or any commercial interest in the outcome. Where the interest is substantive, decline. Declaring is mandatory; a declaration of “none” must still be made. See Conflict of Interest.
• Do not put the manuscript into an AI tool. Uploading a manuscript, or any part of it, to a generative AI service breaches confidentiality, because the text leaves your control. What AI use is and is not permitted in preparing your comments is set out in Artificial Intelligence and Peer Review.
• Meet the deadline in your invitation. The due date is set by the journal for each review and is stated in the invitation — it is not a fixed period across Brieflands. If you need longer, or you can no longer review, tell the editorial office early so the manuscript can be reassigned rather than left waiting. See Review deadlines and declined tasks.

Where you consented to open peer review, your report is published with the article; see Open Peer Review.

Your recommendation

Choose one of four options, and give a clear reason for it based on scientific merit, originality and fit with the journal’s scope — never on the authors’ nationality, institution, gender or seniority. The recommendation advises the editor; the Editor-in-Chief takes the decision.

Put your reasoning in the comments, and keep the comments consistent with the recommendation — a report full of fundamental objections with an “Accept” attached tells the editor nothing. Address the authors in the comments meant for them, and reserve anything confidential for the editor-only field.

General checklist

This applies to every manuscript, whatever the study design. Authors are expected to check their work against it before submitting, and Brieflands reviewers work from the same list. Going through it before submission reduces initial deficiencies and shortens the editorial and review process.

Checklists by study design

Find your study design in the left column, then open the reporting guideline or download the checklist.

Related pages

• Peer Review Policy and Process
• Overview of Article Types
• Knowledge Base Map