Peer Review & Ethics
Applicable Scope: Editorial team, authors, and reviewers of JFED
Version: 1.0
Effective Date:March 2026
Objective
Standardize the operation process of double/double anonymized review, ensure the rigor of blind review implementation, avoid identity disclosure, and guarantee the impartiality of peer review.
1. Pre-Submission Preparation (Editorial Office)
1.1 Clearly publish the journal’s peer review model (double anonymization options) on the official website submission guidelines, including anonymization requirements, prohibited behaviors, and appeal channels.
1.2 Configure the submission system to set up mandatory anonymized manuscript upload channels, and add pop-up reminders of anonymization standards during submission.
1.3 Compile and distribute the Author Anonymization Guide and Reviewer Anonymity Compliance Manual on the submission platform.
2. Manuscript Anonymization Process (Authors + Editorial Office)
2.1 Author Self-Anonymization (Mandatory Requirements)
| Anonymization Item | Specific Operations | Prohibited Behaviors |
|---|---|---|
| Manuscript Content | 1. Remove author names, affiliations, correspondence emails, and ORCID IDs from the title page, header/footer, and text. 2. Delete all self-citation descriptions that reveal identity (e.g., "our previous study [1]"). |
1. Do not embed hidden identity clues (e.g., coded language, unique dataset names linked to the research team). 2. Do not retain funder logos with team-specific information in the text. |
| Supplementary Materials | 1. Anonymize all appendices, supplementary data, and survey tools. 2. Remove institutional logos from questionnaires, experimental facility photos, and data collection instruments. |
1. Do not attach supplementary materials that contain author or institutional identifiers. 2. Do not include personal signatures or lab codes in supplementary data files. |
| Reference List | 1. Retain normal self-citations in the reference list. 2. Do not mark self-citations with special notes (e.g., "our work"). |
1. Do not delete self-citations deliberately to avoid identity inference. 2. Do not add redundant non-self-citations to disguise identity. |
2.2 Editorial Office Secondary Anonymization Check
2.2.1 After manuscript submission, the editorial assistant shall conduct a full-text anonymity check within 1 working day based on theAnonymization Check List.
2.2.2 If identifying information is found, the editorial office shall notify the author to revise it within 3 working days; the manuscript will not enter the reviewer selection stage until it passes the recheck.
2.2.3 For double anonymized review, the editorial office shall generate a unique manuscript code (format:JFED-Year-Serial Number) to replace the author information in all subsequent communication and review links.
3. Reviewer Selection and Anonymity Maintenance (Handling Editor)
3.1 Basic Principles of Reviewer Selection
3.1.1 Avoid selecting reviewers with obvious conflicts of interest, including:
- Collaborators with any author in the past 3 years
- Colleagues from the same institution or research group
- Competitors working on the same research topic with overlapping datasets
3.1.2 For double anonymized review, the handling editor shall not disclose any author information to the decision-making editor, and the decision-making editor shall not interfere with the reviewer selection process.
3.2 Anonymity Maintenance Operations
3.2.1 When sending review invitations, the email shall only include the anonymized manuscript code and the blinded manuscript, without any author-related information (name, affiliation, funding project, etc.).
3.2.2 The review report template shall be set to prohibit reviewers from filling in personal information that may reveal their identity (e.g., institutional affiliation, research project number); the editorial assistant shall check the review report for identity clues before sending it to the author.
3.2.3 All correspondence between the editorial office and reviewers/authors shall use the manuscript code instead of the author’s name or reviewer’s name.
4. Review Process Anonymity Compliance (Reviewers)
4.1 Reviewers must evaluate the manuscript solely based on scientific content and methodological rigor, without attempting to search for or deduce the author’s identity through preprint platforms, research databases, academic networks, or writing style analysis.
4.2 Reviewers shall not disclose their identity as reviewers to the author directly or indirectly, or discuss the manuscript content with third parties unrelated to the review.
4.3 If a reviewer accidentally infers the author’s identity, they must immediately notify the editorial office and apply for recusal if a conflict of interest is involved.
4.4 Reviewers shall not include personal opinions or comments related to the author’s identity in the review report; all feedback must be focused on the manuscript’s academic quality.
5. Role Division and Information Isolation (double Anonymized Review Special Provisions)
| Role | Permissions | Prohibited Behaviors |
|---|---|---|
| Handling Editor | 1. Access to author/reviewer identities 2. Responsible for manuscript anonymization, reviewer selection, and communication coordination 3. Can adjust reviewer assignments based on initial feedback |
1. Disclose author/reviewer identities to the decision-making editor 2. Modify the anonymized manuscript content without authorization 3. Share review comments with non-relevant staff |
| Decision-Making Editor | 1. Only access to the anonymized manuscript and review reports 2. Responsible for making final publication decisions (accept/reject/revise) 3. Can request additional review reports if needed |
1. Request author/reviewer identity information from the handling editor 2. Contact reviewers/authors privately to confirm identity 3. Modify the anonymization status of the manuscript |
| Editorial Assistant | 1. Assist in anonymization checks and document sorting 2. Manage manuscript code and submission system records 3. Coordinate communication between editors, authors, and reviewers |
1. Leak manuscript codes or anonymization status to external personnel 2. Alter review report content or author revision materials 3. Access reviewer identity information without authorization |
6. Post-Review Anonymity Management
6.1 For double anonymized review, the editorial office shall not disclose reviewer identities to authors after the final decision is made, unless the reviewer voluntarily agrees to public disclosure in writing.
6.2 All anonymized manuscripts and review materials shall be stored in encrypted form on the journal’s internal server; the storage period shall comply with the journal’s document retention regulations (minimum 5 years).
6.3 For manuscripts participating in the Article Transfer Service, the editorial office shall transfer the anonymized manuscript and review reports to the destination journal, and clearly inform the destination journal of the original anonymization requirements in the transfer letter.
6.4 After publication, the journal shall not publish any identity information related to reviewers without prior consent.
7. Violation Handling
7.1 Author Violations: If authors violate anonymization rules (e.g., hiding identity clues, failing to revise identifying information), the editorial office has the right to:
- Require a resubmission after full anonymization revision
- Reject the manuscript directly without entering peer review
- Record the violation in the journal’s author database for 1 years
7.2 Reviewer Violations: If reviewers disclose their identity, deduce the author’s identity without reporting, or violate anonymity rules, the journal will:
- Remove them from the reviewer database permanently
- Restrict their manuscript submission to the journal for 1–2 years
- Notify their affiliated institution of the violation if necessary
7.3 Editorial Staff Violations: If editorial staff leak identity information due to operational errors or intentional behavior, they shall be subject to:
- Internal performance penalties and mandatory re-training on anonymization rules
- A formal written apology to the affected authors/reviewers
- Dismissal for serious violations that cause significant academic disputes
8. Appendix
Appendix 1: Author Anonymization Self-Check List
Manuscript Title: ________________________
Submission Date: ________________________
Author Declaration: I confirm that all items below have been completed in accordance with the journal’s anonymization requirements.
| Check Item | Completed (√) | Not Completed (×) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Author names, affiliations, and ORCID IDs removed from title page | □ | □ | |
| 2. Author information removed from header, footer, and page numbers | □ | □ | |
| 3. Correspondence email, phone number, and postal address removed | □ | □ | |
| 4. Identity-revealing self-citation descriptions (e.g., "our study") deleted | □ | □ | |
| 5. Funder logos, project numbers with team info removed | □ | □ | |
| 6. Supplementary materials (appendices, data) anonymized | □ | □ | |
| 7. Institutional logos removed from questionnaires/experimental photos | □ | □ | |
| 8. Self-citations in reference list retained without special marks | □ | □ | |
| 9. No hidden identity clues (coded language, unique dataset names) | □ | □ | |
| 10. Blinded manuscript saved as a separate file for submission | □ | □ |
Author Signature: ________________________
Date: ________________________
Appendix 2: Editorial Anonymization Review Form
Manuscript Code: ________________________
Reviewer (Editorial Assistant): ________________________
Review Date: ________________________
Review Type: □ Initial Check □ Recheck After Author Revision
| Review Item | Pass (√) | Fail (×) | Problem Description | Handling Suggestion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. No author names/affiliations in title page and text | □ | □ | ||
| 2. No contact information (email, phone, address) retained | □ | □ | ||
| 3. No identity-revealing self-citation descriptions | □ | □ | ||
| 4. No funder logos or project numbers with team info | □ | □ | ||
| 5. Supplementary materials fully anonymized | □ | □ | ||
| 6. No hidden identity clues (coded language, unique labels) | □ | □ | ||
| 7. Manuscript code generated and replaced author info (for double/double anonymization) | □ | □ | ||
| 8. Review report template free of identity-revealing fields | □ | □ |
Overall Review Result: □ Pass (Enter Reviewer Selection) □ Fail (Notify Author Revision)
Handling Editor Confirmation: ________________________
Date: ________________________
Appendix 3: Reviewer Anonymity Compliance Agreement
I, the undersigned reviewer, confirm that I will comply with the following anonymity rules during the peer review process of [Journal Name]:
1.I will not disclose my identity as a reviewer to the author(s) directly or indirectly.
2.I will not attempt to search for or deduce the author(s)’ identity through any channels (preprint platforms, research databases, academic networks, etc.).
3.I will not include any personal information or identity clues in the review report that may reveal my identity.
4.If I accidentally infer the author(s)’ identity and have a conflict of interest, I will immediately notify the editorial office and apply for recusal.
5.I will not discuss the manuscript content or review process with any third parties unrelated to the review.
I understand that any violation of the above rules will result in being removed from the journal’s reviewer database and other relevant disciplinary measures.
Reviewer Name: ________________________
Affiliation: ________________________
Signature: ________________________
Date: ________________________