For Reviewers

For Reviewers

Reviewer Guidelines

Food Science & Applied Microbiology Reports (FSAMR) relies on expert peer reviewers to maintain the scientific quality and integrity of the journal.

How to Conduct a Review

  • Log in to the journal’s submission system to access your assigned manuscript.
  • If you have forgotten your password, use the “Forgot your password?” link.
  • Please respond promptly to review invitations. If declining, you may suggest alternative qualified reviewers where appropriate.

Before accepting a review assignment, please consider:

  • Expertise: Accept only if the manuscript falls within your area of expertise.
  • Conflicts of Interest: Immediately disclose any potential conflicts to the editor.
  • Availability: Accept the review only if you can complete it within the requested deadline.
  • Familiarity: If you are new to peer review, you may contact the editorial office for guidance (contact@finessepublishing.com).

Review Criteria

Manuscripts should be evaluated based on:

  • Novelty and Significance: Originality and contribution to food science, microbiology, biotechnology, or related disciplines.
  • Literature Review: Adequacy, relevance, and scholarly framing.
  • Research Design and Methods: Appropriateness, rigor, and technical soundness.
  • Results and Interpretation: Clarity, validity, and alignment with conclusions.
  • Presentation and Style: Logical organization, clarity of language, and compliance with journal formatting requirements.

High-priority manuscripts typically:

  • Address important problems in food science or applied microbiology
  • Introduce innovative methods or concepts
  • Provide strong experimental or analytical evidence
  • Demonstrate clear practical or scientific relevance

Comments to Authors

Reviewers are expected to:

  • Provide constructive, section-by-section feedback where appropriate.
  • Suggest improvements to tables, figures, and clarity of presentation.
  • Identify strengths as well as areas needing improvement.
  • Use respectful and professional language. Personal criticism is not acceptable.
  • Avoid self-promotion or unnecessary citation requests.

Confidential Comments to Editors

Reviewers may optionally provide confidential remarks to the editors, including:

  • Ethical concerns (plagiarism, duplicate submission, data integrity issues)
  • Concerns about ethical approval for human or animal research
  • Suspected citation manipulation
  • Recommendations regarding the need for additional review

Reviewer Recommendations

Reviewers should select one of the following recommendations:

  • Reject – Manuscript is unsuitable for FSAMR.
  • Major Revisions Required – Substantial changes are needed before reconsideration.
  • Minor Revisions Required – Manuscript is publishable after minor corrections.
  • Accept – Manuscript is ready for publication.

The Editor-in-Chief makes the final decision and may seek additional reviews if necessary.

Confidentiality and Ethics

Reviewers must:

  • Treat all manuscripts as confidential documents.
  • Not share, distribute, or discuss the manuscript without editorial permission.
  • Not use unpublished material for personal advantage.
  • Report suspected research misconduct.
  • Avoid requesting citations to their own work unless scientifically justified.

Recognition for Reviewers

FSAMR values the essential contributions of its reviewers. The journal provides:

  • Annual public acknowledgement of reviewers
  • Reviewer certificates upon request
  • Opportunity to record reviews on Publons (where applicable)
  • Option to link reviews to ORCID

After Your Review

  • Maintain confidentiality of the manuscript and review comments even after a decision is made.
  • You will be notified of the editorial decision once the review process is complete.

Thank you for supporting the quality and integrity of Food Science & Applied Microbiology Reports (FSAMR).