Instructions for Reviewers
General instructions for Reviewers
Thank you for serving as a reviewer for EJMCR. The journal’s mission is to publish high-quality case-based medical literature—including single case reports, case series, and original/research articles with a focus on specific cases—that provides educational value to the clinical community.
When reviewing, please follow these guidelines:
1. Evaluation Focus
Judge the manuscript on scientific validity, educational value, and clarity, not on predicted impact.
Do not recommend rejection solely because the case lacks groundbreaking discovery—focus instead on its educational contribution.
2. Case-Specific Scientific Content
Assess whether the case description is clear, complete, and accurate, including relevant clinical history, investigations, management, and follow-up.
Confirm that diagnostic reasoning is logical, evidence-based, and supported by appropriate references.
Check if the discussion places the case in context with existing literature, highlighting what is learned from it.
For case series, ensure inclusion/exclusion criteria, methodology, and consistency between cases are well-defined.
For original/research articles related to specific cases, evaluate the scientific design, methodology, and data analysis as you would for a standard research paper.
3. Ethical Considerations
Verify that patient consent for publication has been obtained and stated.
Ensure patient identifiers (names, initials, facial features, identifiable data) are removed or obscured.
For research studies, confirm ethics committee/IRB approval where applicable.
4. Clarity and Structure
Ensure the manuscript follows a logical structure:
Case Reports: Abstract, Background, Case Presentation, Discussion, Conclusion, References.
Case Series: Abstract, Background, Methods, Results (with case details), Discussion, Conclusion, References.
Original/Research Articles: Standard IMRaD structure (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion).
Confirm that medical terminology is used correctly and consistently.
5. Figures, Tables, and Images
Assess whether images (radiology, pathology, photographs) are relevant, of high quality, and clearly labeled.
Ensure legends are complete and informative.
Verify that figures and tables support the text and do not contain confidential patient information.
6. References
Check that citations are accurate, relevant, and up-to-date.
For rare or unusual cases, ensure the literature review is thorough and balanced.
7. Constructive Feedback
Provide clear, actionable suggestions for improving the manuscript’s educational value, clarity, and clinical relevance.
Indicate any missing details, inconsistencies, or unclear sections that need revision.
8. Confidentiality & Conflicts of Interest
Treat all manuscript content as confidential.
Declare any conflicts of interest to the editor before starting your review.