Reviewer Guidelines

Guide for Reviewers

Peer reviewers play a vital role in shaping the quality, rigor, and impact of research published in JBMR® and JBMR® Plus. Your expertise helps authors strengthen their work, informs editorial decisions, and advances the bone, mineral, and musculoskeletal field as a whole. This guide outlines what to expect as a reviewer and how to provide thoughtful, constructive evaluations.

Interested in Becoming a Reviewer?

Create an Account

Be sure to:

  • Select the journal(s) you wish to review for
  • Add keywords and areas of expertise to help Editors find you

How the Review Process Works

All manuscripts submitted to JBMR® and JBMR® Plus undergo editorial and external peer review through the ScholarOne system.

Submission & Initial Check

Authors submit their manuscript, which is reviewed by administrative staff to ensure all required elements (figures, supplements, etc.) are included.

Editorial Assignment

The Editor-in-Chief (EiC) assigns an Associate Editor (AE) and Deputy Editor (DE) based on subject-matter expertise. At this stage, the Editors may:

  • Triage the manuscript (reject without external review), or
  • Send it out for peer review
Reviewer Selection

The AE invites Editorial Board members or external experts best suited to evaluate the manuscript.

Recommendations & Decision

Reviewers submit their evaluations to the AE, who makes a recommendation to the DE and EiC. The EiC issues the final decision, which may include revisions or rejection.

Peer Review Model: Single‑Blind

  • Authors' names are visible to reviewers
  • Reviewer identities are not shared with authors

This approach encourages candid, unbiased feedback. Reviewers may voluntarily sign their review in the "Narrative Assessment to the Authors" section.

Confidentiality Expectations

Reviewers must maintain strict confidentiality:

  • Do not share or discuss the manuscript or your review with anyone
  • Do not use any information from the manuscript prior to publication
  • Do not forward manuscripts, reviews, or editor comments to others
  • Ghost reviewing is prohibited unless explicitly approved by the Editors

If you need to consult a colleague, you must request permission from the Editor first.

What Reviewers Should Look For

When evaluating a manuscript, consider the journals’ readership and mission. JBMR® and JBMR® Plus publish high‑quality basic, clinical, and translational research relevant to bone, muscle, and mineral metabolism.

Key Areas to Assess

  • Scientific Impact & Quality
  • Data Quality & Rigor
  • Presentation & Clarity
  • Title Appropriateness

Ethical Considerations

Be alert to:

  • Duplicate publication
  • Plagiarism
  • Undisclosed writing assistance (“ghostwriting”)
  • Image manipulation (duplication, inappropriate cropping, altered intensity, etc.)
  • The Office of Research Integrity provides helpful examples and a quiz on identifying image manipulation.

Your Review Should Include

  • Narrative Assessment for Authors
    • Overall impressions
    • Major and minor revision points
  • Confidential Comments to the Editors
    • Strengths, weaknesses, and final considerations

Expectations for Editorial Board Members

Editorial Board (EB) members are active ASBMR members and are expected to:

  • Respond promptly to review invitations
  • Accept at least 66% of invitations
  • Review 5-15 manuscripts per year (average: 8)
  • Submit reviews within 14 days (average: 8 days)

Writing High‑Quality Reviews

Reviews should be:

  • Thorough but concise
  • Fair, constructive, and impartial
  • Written in clear, professional language
  • Aligned with your expertise
  • Free of conflicts of interest

For guidance, reviewers are encouraged to read: “Editorial Peer Reviewers as Shepherds, Rather Than Gatekeepers” (Boerckel, Plotkin & Sims).

Track Your Reviewing Activity with Publons

ASBMR journals partner with Publons, allowing reviewers to record, verify, and showcase their peer review contributions — a valuable addition to CVs and promotion materials.

Questions?

JBMR®: jbmr.editorialoffice@technicaeditorial.com

JBMR® Plus: jbmrplus.editorialoffice@technicaeditorial.com

You can also reach out to the ASBMR Business Office, at asbmr@asbmr.org for any information regarding reviewing or the journal editorial boards.