Reviewer Guidelines 

Information for BJMS Reviewers

Welcome to The Borneo Journal of Medical Sciences (BJMS) Reviewer Portal.
We sincerely thank you for contributing your time, expertise, and insight to our peer review process. The quality and integrity of BJMS publications rely heavily on the dedication of reviewers like you. This page provides guidance and useful resources to support you throughout your role as a reviewer.

Responding to Our Invitation

Before accepting a review request, we kindly ask you to consider the following:

  • Expertise: Is the manuscript within your area of academic or clinical expertise? If not, please feel free to decline the invitation or suggest a more suitable colleague.

  • Availability: Can you complete the review within the time frame (typically 14–21 days)? If you need more time, let us know as soon as possible.

  • Conflict of Interest: If you have any competing interests that may affect your impartiality (such as personal, professional, or financial relationships with the authors or institutions involved), please disclose them or decline the invitation.

Your thoughtful consideration helps ensure a fair, constructive, and efficient review process.

Reviewing a Manuscript

When reviewing a manuscript, please consider the following key aspects:

  • Scientific Soundness: Is the research question clear and relevant? Are the methods appropriate and robust? Are the conclusions supported by the data?

  • Originality and Significance: Does the study offer new insights or contribute meaningfully to the medical or health sciences literature?

  • Ethical Compliance: Has the manuscript provided sufficient information regarding ethics approval and informed consent (where applicable)?

  • Structure and Clarity: Is the manuscript logically structured, clearly written, and free of major grammatical or formatting issues?

  • References and Literature: Has the study adequately cited relevant, recent, and appropriate sources?

When preparing your review report:

  • Provide constructive feedback and specific suggestions to help authors improve their work.

  • Separate major and minor concerns.

  • Maintain a professional and respectful tone.

  • Avoid identifying yourself in the report unless requested by the editor. BJMS permits both anonymous and signed reviews.

After Review: Why Reviewing for BJMS Matters

By reviewing for BJMS, you are contributing to the integrity and advancement of open access medical science. Benefits of serving as a reviewer include:

  • Recognition: Your contribution may be acknowledged in annual reviewer acknowledgments (if you consent).

  • Engagement: Stay up to date with the latest developments in your field.

  • Professional Development: Enhance your critical thinking, scientific communication, and evaluation skills.

  • Networking: Become part of a broader academic and clinical research community.

Additional Resources and Support

  • BJMS Editorial Policies: link

  • Contact the Editorial Office:
    If you have questions or need assistance during the review process, please email us at: bjms@ums.edu.my