Guides to reviewing anything

How to review it properly, whatever is in the box.

The Box Reviewers explains what a good review is and how to do one: journal papers, business processes, and the responsibilities every reviewer shares.

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Latest Blogs

Peer Review

What Is a Desk Review? Journal Editorial Screening Explained

Learn what a desk review means in academic publishing, how editors screen manuscripts before peer review, common criteria, outcomes, and practical examples.

Conflict of Interest in Peer Review: Types & Examples

Learn what conflict of interest in peer review means, common financial and academic examples, when to decline a review, and how to disclose conflicts ethically.

Peer Review Manipulation: Types, Signs & Prevention

Learn what peer review manipulation is, how fake reviewers and review rings work, warning signs, real-world cases, and how journals prevent fraud.

Transparent Peer Review: Meaning, Benefits & Examples

What is transparent peer review? Learn how published reviewer reports work, their benefits and risks, and examples from Nature Communications and PLOS.

Triple-Blind Peer Review: Meaning, Process & Benefits

Discover how triple-blind peer review works, who stays anonymous, its benefits and limitations, and how it differs from single- and double-blind review.

AI-Assisted Peer Review: Uses, Risks & Ethical Guidelines

Learn how AI-assisted peer review works, what reviewers can use AI for, publisher policies, confidentiality risks, and ethical guidelines for academic research.

What every good review has in common

Competence

The reviewer knows the subject well enough to judge it, and says so when they do not.

Fairness

The work is judged on its merits, with any conflict of interest declared up front.

Evidence

Every criticism comes with a reason and a way to fix it.

Punctuality

The review arrives when it was promised. A late review helps nobody.

These four ideas run through every guide on this site.