Reviewer Policies

  1. Reviewers Guidelines
  2. Conflict of Interest and Financial Disclosures (specific to reviewers)

1. Reviewers Guidelines:

Future and Emerging Technologies in AI & ML relies on the expertise of its reviewers to ensure that the manuscripts published in the journal meet high standards of scientific rigor and quality. Reviewers are selected based on their specialized knowledge in AI, machine learning, and other relevant interdisciplinary fields. Their primary responsibility is to evaluate the scientific validity, originality, significance, and clarity of the submitted research. Reviewers should assess the methodology employed in the study, ensuring that it is robust, reproducible, and appropriate for the research question. They must also consider the relevance and novelty of the findings, and whether the conclusions are well-supported by the data.

In addition to evaluating the technical aspects of the manuscript, reviewers are encouraged to provide constructive feedback that helps authors improve the quality of their work. This includes suggesting improvements in data analysis, clarifying complex points, refining figures or tables, and identifying areas where additional information or citations may be needed. Reviewers should focus on providing respectful and unbiased feedback, aiming to enhance the manuscript’s scientific contribution rather than critique the authors personally.

The peer review process is double-blind, meaning that both the reviewers and authors remain anonymous to each other. This ensures impartiality and eliminates any potential bias that might arise from personal relationships. Reviewers are expected to complete their assessments in a timely manner, ideally within two to three weeks, to ensure that the journal maintains a consistent publication schedule.

Confidentiality is a critical aspect of the review process. Reviewers are not permitted to share the manuscript or its contents with anyone outside the review process. Furthermore, if they identify any potential ethical violations, such as plagiarism or data fabrication, they must notify the editorial team immediately. The feedback provided by reviewers will be communicated to the authors, who will have the opportunity to revise their manuscripts in response to reviewer comments. The ultimate goal is to enhance the quality of the research and ensure that only scientifically sound and ethically rigorous studies are published in the journal.

2. Conflict of Interest and Financial Disclosures (Specific to Reviewers):

Future and Emerging Technologies in AI & ML is committed to maintaining the integrity and objectivity of its editorial and review processes. To achieve this, all reviewers are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest (COI) prior to accepting a manuscript for review. A conflict of interest may arise when the reviewer has financial, personal, or professional ties to the authors, their institutions, or the research that could potentially bias their judgment. This includes, but is not limited to, the following situations:

  • Financial Relationships: If the reviewer has received funding from the author’s institution, company, or organization involved in the research, this must be disclosed. Reviewers should also report any relevant patents or equity holdings in companies related to the manuscript’s topic.

  • Professional Relationships: Reviewers must disclose if they have a current or past collaborative relationship with the authors (e.g., co-authoring papers, working together on research projects) or if they are in direct competition with the authors’ work. This includes co-editorships or professional connections that might influence their objectivity.

  • Personal Relationships: Any personal relationships, including close friendships or familial ties to the authors or stakeholders in the manuscript, must be disclosed, as they may present a potential conflict.

In cases where reviewers identify a conflict of interest, they are required to recuse themselves from the review process to ensure fairness and impartiality. If a potential conflict of interest arises during the review process, it is the responsibility of the reviewer to notify the editorial team immediately. The editor will then assess the situation and make an appropriate decision, which may include assigning the manuscript to a different reviewer.

The journal also expects reviewers to disclose any financial interests related to the topic of the manuscript, especially when these interests could be influenced by the publication of the research. For example, if a reviewer has ties to a commercial enterprise that could be directly impacted by the findings of the research, these relationships must be disclosed to avoid any appearance of bias in the review process.

To further safeguard the integrity of the journal, reviewers are prohibited from using any information gained from the manuscript for personal gain or to further their own research. This includes the use of unpublished data or findings for future publication, an action that constitutes a serious violation of academic integrity.

By requiring full disclosure of conflicts of interest, Future and Emerging Technologies in AI & ML ensures that the peer review process remains objective, transparent, and free from bias, thus maintaining the credibility of the journal and the quality of its published content. Reviewers’ adherence to these ethical standards is essential to the scientific community and to the continued success of the journal.