Reviewer Guideline

The Journal of International Spine Society (JISS) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of peer review. We value the contributions of our reviewers in ensuring the scientific rigor, originality, and relevance of published work. These guidelines are intended to assist reviewers in conducting fair, objective, and constructive evaluations of submitted manuscripts.

1. Role of the Reviewer

As a reviewer for JISS, you are expected to:

  • Evaluate the scientific merit, originality, and relevance of the manuscript.

  • Provide detailed, constructive feedback to assist authors in improving their work.

  • Recommend whether the manuscript should be accepted, revised, or rejected.

  • Identify any ethical concerns, including plagiarism, duplicate publication, or research misconduct.

  • Maintain confidentiality and declare any conflicts of interest.

2. Confidentiality

All manuscripts under review are confidential documents. Reviewers must not:

  • Share, discuss, or disclose any information about the manuscript outside the review process.

  • Use any data or ideas obtained during the review for personal or professional advantage.

3. Conflict of Interest

Reviewers must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may affect their ability to provide an unbiased review, including:

  • Personal or professional relationships with the authors.

  • Financial or intellectual interests in the outcome of the review. If a conflict exists, reviewers should decline the review invitation.

4. Evaluation Criteria

Reviewers are asked to evaluate the manuscript based on the following criteria:

Scientific Quality

  • Are the research questions clear and well-defined?

  • Are the methods appropriate and adequately described?

  • Are the results presented clearly and interpreted appropriately?

Originality and Significance

  • Does the manuscript offer new insights or make a significant contribution to the field of spine surgery and related research?

Structure and Presentation

  • Is the manuscript well-organized and clearly written?

  • Are the figures, tables, and references appropriate and accurate?

Ethical Considerations

  • Has the study received ethical approval where required?

  • Are conflicts of interest and funding sources disclosed?

5. Review Format

Your review should include:

  • A brief summary of the manuscript.

  • Major and minor comments.

  • Specific suggestions for improvement.

  • A clear recommendation (Accept, Minor Revision, Major Revision, or Reject).

Please avoid unconstructive criticism or personal remarks. Maintain a respectful and academic tone.

6. Use of AI Tools in Review

Reviewers may use AI tools (e.g., grammar checkers or language simplification tools) for clarity in writing their review report. However:

  • Reviews should reflect the reviewer’s own expert judgment.

  • Reviewers must not use AI tools to upload or analyze any confidential manuscript text.

7. Timeliness

We request that reviews be completed within 2–3 weeks. If you anticipate a delay, please notify the editorial office promptly. If you are unable to review, kindly decline the invitation as early as possible so we can invite an alternative reviewer.

8. Anonymity

JISS practices a double-blind review process: reviewers remain anonymous to authors, and vice versa. Please ensure your comments do not reveal your identity.

9. Recognition

We value your contribution to the peer-review process. Reviewers who consistently provide high-quality, timely reviews may be acknowledged on our website and invited to join the Editorial Board.