This guide will help you to complete a review form within Editorial Manager For more general information on how to review a submission see Elsevier's How to Review pages.

Reviewers are asked to complete a journal-defined form on Editorial Manager. This will always include selecting a recommendation term, and entering comments to the author and to the editors. It may also include structured questions, numerical ratings, and/or the opportunity to upload files.

How?

Follow these steps to submit your review in Editorial Manager:

1. If you will be submitting a file as part of your review, check that you have no personal information in the file that would identify you to the author.

   Not every journal allows reviewers to upload file attachments.

   Tips for preparing a file

2. Log in to Editorial Manager for the journal to which you want to submit your review.

   • Be sure to log using the same email address as the invitation.
   • If you have any trouble locating your review assignment, see How do I find a submission I was invited to review in Editorial Manager?.

   You may have received a direct 'Submit Review' link in an email after agreeing to review, or in a reminder email, this will take you straight to Step 5 below.

3. From your main menu, click 'Pending Assignments' for your assigned paper to appear.
4. Click 'Submit Recommendation' .
5. Any journal-specific 'Reviewer Instructions' are at the top of the review form and may include a link to another web page.
6. Choose your recommendation term from the drop-down menu, each journal defines their own custom list of reviewer recommendation terms.
7. If enabled, enter your overall manuscript rating. Unless otherwise instructed, assume 0 is the worst rating, and 100 the best.
8. Answer any Review Questions. These are customized per journal and can be of different types such as numerical ratings, multiple choice, text response, etc.
9. Fill in your Comments to Author.

   • Comments must be entered in plain text; there is a Special Character link available for each field.
   • Your Comments to Author will usually be merged into a list of comments in the author decision letter.
   • Mention any files you will attach. For example, you could add 'please see my file named xxx" in the author comments.
10. Fill in any Confidential Comments to the Editors.

11. If you have a file to submit, click 'Upload Reviewer Attachments'.

    Steps to upload a reviewer attachment file

12. Complete the Transfer Authorization questions , if they appear.

    • These questions ask your permission to provide your review comments, and/or your contact details, to the editors of another journal in the event this submission is transferred. See more details here.
13. Select one of the buttons at the bottom

    • Cancel: to exit without saving
    • Save & Submit Later: to save all changes and exit the review form without sending it to the editors. You may continue later from your Pending Assignments
    • Proof & Print: to view a formatted version of your Review Form. Use your browser's options to save, download, or print the review for your records.
    • Proceed: when you are ready to submit the review to the editors.
14. A summary of your review appears.

    • Click 'Submit Review to Editorial Office'appeared no changes are needed.
    • Click Edit reviewto make adjustments.
15. When you select Submit Review to Editorial Office, a final confirmation pop-up asks you to OK the recommendation term.

After submitting your review:

• The submission moves into your 'Completed Assignments' folder.
• The editors are informed of your completed review.
• You may receive an email acknowledging your completion of the review.
• When the editors make their decision:

  • The editors will choose which reviewer comments and/or files to pass on to the author
  • You may receive an email from the Journal Office once the editor's decision is made.
  • You may receive a copy of the decision letter sent to the author.

Watch this short video to see the steps.

Still have a question? We can help! When contacting us via the contact channel at the bottom of this page, please just enter your details, and select contact reason 'Review'. Please be sure to provide all requested details and as much information as possible. Taking these steps will ensure your question reaches the team best placed to support you.