The International Journal of Animal and Wildlife Research (IJAWR) expects reviewers to handle every manuscript with professionalism, discretion, and respect. Reviewers are entrusted with unpublished scholarly work and should exercise appropriate care when evaluating research related to animal biology, wildlife ecology, biodiversity, conservation practices, animal behaviour, welfare, and related scientific disciplines.

Confidentiality

Reviewers should not share manuscripts, reviewer reports, editorial correspondence, or other review-related materials with colleagues, students, or other individuals unless the editorial team has granted permission.

Information obtained through peer review must not be discussed outside the review process. Reviewers should take reasonable precautions when storing, accessing, or handling confidential manuscript files, including research data, wildlife observation records, and information concerning sensitive species or habitats.

Use of Unpublished Information

Reviewers must not use unpublished ideas, findings, data, methods, images, field observations, or other information obtained through a manuscript for their own research, publications, teaching, or other purposes without appropriate authorization.

Reviewers must not take advantage of information obtained during peer review before it becomes publicly available.

Reviewer Comments

Review comments should be written in a professional, constructive, and respectful manner. Criticism should focus on the manuscript's scientific quality, methodology, interpretation, and academic contribution rather than the author.

Comments should clearly explain the reviewer's concerns and, where appropriate, help authors identify areas requiring clarification or improvement. For animal and wildlife research, reviewers may assess the suitability of research methods, the reliability of field observations, the interpretation of biodiversity data, animal welfare considerations, and compliance with applicable ethical requirements.

Independent Review

Reviewers should prepare their own independent assessment of each manuscript and must not allow another person to review it on their behalf without prior permission from the editorial team.

Reviewers should not attempt to influence the editorial process improperly or communicate directly with authors about a manuscript under review unless the editorial team specifically authorizes such communication.

Handling Review Materials

Review materials must be handled carefully and should not be copied, circulated, or retained for purposes unrelated to the review. This includes unpublished research data, photographs, field records, information about animal handling procedures, and other supporting materials submitted for evaluation.

When a review assignment has ended, reviewers should follow the journal's instructions regarding access to, storage of, or deletion of review materials, while respecting any applicable confidentiality and data-protection requirements.

Reviewer Conduct Concerns

If a reviewer becomes aware of a concern involving confidentiality, the improper use of unpublished information, or the inappropriate handling of a manuscript, they should promptly inform the editorial team.