Ethical and professional requirements for the reviewer of scientific periodicals of the Kharkiv National Medical University

Abstract

The work of a reviewer of the vast majority of modern scientific periodicals in Ukraine is honorable, voluntary and free of charge. It is carried out by the most qualified and experienced scientists who are able not only to describe their own research in scientific publications, but also to check the academic value, interpretation and presentation of the research of other scientists, to help them improve their publications, and at the same time to prevent falsifications and the spread of anti-humanist ideas. The interaction of all participants in the creation of scientific publications (authors, editors and reviewers) is regulated by the rules originating from COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics), a union of publishers of scientific journals in more than 100 countries of the world. Violations of publishing ethics are typical all over the world, the reaction of scientific journal editors is different (from public announcement of wrongdoings to refusal of cooperation with violators). Together with other publishers of scientific periodicals, the editors of scientific journals of the Kharkiv National Medical University (KhNMU) hope that this first in a series of publications, a methodical article dedicated to the work of reviewers, will help reduce the number of cases of unethical behavior and make the review process more transparent. The article describes the rules and mechanisms of interaction between the editors of KhNMU scientific journals and the reviewers, and the reviewers – with the authors of the articles. The editors would like to thank the representatives of the SUES (Supporting Ukrainian Editorial Staff) project for their support during the war. Special thanks to Iryna Kuchma (EIFL, Lithuania), Marta Tomakhiv and Maciej Maryl (Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw).

Keywords: COPE, review ethics, double-blind review, open access journals.