American Nurse Journal Peer-Review Guidelines

American Nurse Journal (ANJ) peer reviewers use their expertise to help ensure the accuracy of manuscripts so that published content provides readers with practical, evidence-based information that will prove useful in bedside clinical care as well as in professional nurse development and well-being.

ANJ follows the COPE Ethical Guidelines for Peer Reviewers, and requires that all peer reviewers be aware of and adhere to these guidelines, which can be accessed at publicationethics.org/files/ethical-guidelines-peer-reviewers-cope.pdf

The peer-review process

Quality peer reviews provide content guidance, evaluate clinical accuracy, and offer constructive comments that help the author improve their manuscript. Peer review does not involve editing for grammar, punctuation, or style. Peer reviewers should consider the following during their manuscript assessment:

  • Is the content relevant to nursing?
  • Is the information accurate and complete?
  • Does the information flow logically?
  • Are any key references missing?
  • Do illustrations, figures, tables add to the content?
  • Does the author provide nursing implications?
  • Are appropriate guidelines, standards, and research cited?
  • Is the manuscript free from stereotypes, offensive language, and bias?

ANJ uses double-anonymous (double-blind) peer review process—authors don’t know the identity of the reviewers and reviewers don’t know the identity of authors. We use this format to help eliminate bias and favoritism. The editorial staff shares reviewer feedback with authors, but the reviewer’s name remains confidential. We ask that reviewers refrain from sharing the manuscript and their review with others.  Peer reviewers are asked to attest if AI was used in any part of the review, and if used, describe that use.

The ANJ executive editorial director oversees the peer-review process and makes final decisions about acceptance, revision, and rejection based on reviewer feedback.

Peer Review for American Nurse Journal

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Peer reviewer expectations

The executive editorial director selects peer reviewers based on their areas of expertise, with the aim of matching reviewer knowledge with manuscript content. Prior experience as a peer reviewer or publication in a peer-review journal can prove helpful in understanding the process.

ANJ is committed to ensuring our editorial practices—including peer review—support diversity, equity, and inclusivity. With that goal in mind, we track our performance. If reviewers are willing to help us in this endeavor, we ask them to provide demographic information. This is not a requirement of selection to serve as a peer reviewer.

Are you interested in serving as a peer reviewer for American Nurse Journal (ANJ)?

Peer reviewers comment and provide feedback on manuscript submissions. If you’ve published in a peer-reviewed journal or have previous experience as a peer reviewer, please consider this opportunity. As a reviewer, you’ll be invited to evaluate manuscripts in your content area of expertise. For each manuscript you review, you’ll receive documents and instructions. ANJ peer review is double blinded, so you won’t know who the author is and the author won’t know you reviewed their manuscript. Quality peer reviews provide content guidance, feedback, and constructive comments that help the author improve their manuscript. Peer review doesn’t include editing for language and grammar, although suggestions to improve the content flow are welcome.

Read this blog for additional information about how peer review benefits reviewers and the profession.

To be considered as a peer reviewer, please provide the following information:

Peer Review

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