Reviewer Competing Interest Policy

Reviewers should decline an invitation to review if they have a competing interest or conflict of interest related to the submitted manuscript. Such situations may include, but are not limited to, the examples listed below.

Examples of Potential Conflicts of Interest

1. Employment
   • the reviewer holds a position at the same institution as the author(s);
   • the reviewer is seeking employment at the same institution as the author(s).
2. Financial interests
   • the reviewer has ownership of equity, shares, or an enterprise that may benefit from publication;
   • the reviewer may directly or indirectly receive income as a result of publication.
3. Personal or professional relationships
   • the author is a family member, professional or business partner, or former PhD student of the reviewer;
   • the author has been a collaborator of the reviewer within the past 48 months;
   • the author has been a co-editor with the reviewer within the past 24 months.

Reviewers must disclose any competing interest or conflict of interest if a reasonable person, having all relevant facts, could question their impartiality.