Peer review, also known as refereeing, is a collaborative process that allows independent experts in the same field of research to evaluate and comment on manuscript submissions. The outcome of a peer review gives authors feedback to improve their work and, critically, allows the editor to assess the paper’s suitability for publication. The practice of peer review is intended to ensure that only good and relevant submissions to the objective of our journals are published. All new submissions are peer-reviewed according to the process detailed in Review and Publication Process, since our reviewers are essential in upholding the high standards of our journal. Author(s) who have benefited from the peer review process should consider becoming reviewer(s) as a part of the professional responsibilities if the criteria as a reviewer are met.
1. Stay Updated
Getting an early view of the exciting new research happening provides the reviewer a role in helping to evaluate and improve this new work.
2. Improve Writing
The process of reviewing and the completion of the review report equip the reviewer the skills to appraise critically about the quality of the article and help to improve own's writing.
3. Low Publication Fees
Low publication fees offered to reviewer recognise their contributions, encourage participation, and foster a collaborative academic community.
4. New Connections
Provides opportunity to build new connections for future collaborations. Being a regular reviewer may also be the first step to becoming a member of the journal.
1. Qualified
● Holds at least a master’s degree in related allied health field (e.g. educational therapy, behavioural therapy, speech pathology, mental wellness therapy, occupational therapy, neuroscience, gerentology, geriatric, psychology, psychotherapy, counselling etc); or
● Registered as a therapist/ counselor of a reputable professional organisation including International Association of Counselors & Therapists, Association of Educational Therapist, British Psychology Society, Singapore Association of Counselling, Singapore Psychological Society.
2. Expert
● Has published at least three articles as lead author in a relevant topic, with at least one article having been published in the last three years.
● In fields where a reviewer’s expertise is not typically measured by his/her publication record or if the suggested reviewer’s expertise is demonstrabled in ways other than his/her publication record, please provide an explanation of his/her suitability.
3. Independence
● Reviewer and the author(s) shall remain anonymous to each other in our ‘double-blinded’ review.
● Reviewer shall declare any competing interest (see Conflict of Interest Policy) including relationship and connected/ related activities that might impair independence in the evaluation of a manuscript. Reviewer shall recuse from the peer-review process if a conflict exists.
4. Confidentiality
● Maintain a high standard of confidentiality of the manuscript until it is published (see Confidentiality and Protection of Authors Policy).
● Discouraged from publicly discussing authors’ work.
● Shall not appropriate authors’ ideas before the manuscript is published.
● Shall not retain the unpublished manuscript for personal use or reference after submitting reviews.
● Reviewer who seek assistance from a trainee or colleague in the performance of a review should acknowledge his/her contributions in the written comments submitted to the editor. The involved individual(s) must maintain the confidentiality of the manuscript as outlined above.
5. Citation Manipulation
Request to add citations where the motivations are merely self-promotional violates publication ethics and is unethical (see Citation Manipulation Policy). Due care shall be exercised by the reviewers when making suggestions to any reference to their own work. Acceptance of the remarks pertaining to such suggestions are at the discretion of the editorial team.
6. Timeliness
Return a review within the proposed or mutually agreed time frame.
We invite educational therapists, allied health practitioners, instructors, and trainees to submit original research, case studies, and professional insights for publication. Share your expertise and contribute to advancing knowledge and practice in the allied health and educational therapy community.
