Reviewer Agreement

This Reviewer Agreement applies to any BCINexus user who is granted reviewer status. It works alongside — not instead of — the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. By accepting reviewer status, you agree to everything below. Reviewing on BCINexus is a community role, independent from platform administration. It exists for one reason: to keep the quality bar of published BCI research high.

You will perform reviews honestly, fairly, objectively, and professionally. Submissions are evaluated on scientific merit, methodology, reproducibility, originality, and clarity — nothing else. You will not discriminate against authors based on nationality, institution, gender, race, religion, age, disability, or personal beliefs. Feedback must be constructive, evidence-based, and respectful. Reviews are critiques of work, not people. Complete reviews within the requested timeframe whenever reasonably possible. If you can't, say so early rather than letting a submission sit.

All assigned submissions and related materials are confidential. You will not share, copy, publish, or distribute unpublished research without authorization. You will not use confidential information obtained through reviewing for personal, academic, or commercial benefit. Seeing someone's unpublished study does not make it yours to build on.

Disclose any real or potential conflict of interest before accepting a review — recent co-authorship, institutional ties, competing work, personal relationships, or anything else a reasonable person would consider relevant. If you cannot remain impartial, decline the review. Declining is never held against you; reviewing with an undisclosed conflict is.

BCINexus may monitor review quality and timeliness. Your reviewer activity may contribute to reviewer reputation, recognition, and platform metrics. Review decisions are advisory unless BCINexus specifies otherwise. BCINexus may remove reviewer privileges for misconduct, repeated poor-quality reviews, bias, undisclosed conflicts of interest, confidentiality breaches, or other violations of platform policies. Removal of reviewer privileges does not by itself affect your regular account.

You will comply with all applicable research ethics, publication ethics, and confidentiality requirements, including institutional and disciplinary standards that apply to you. If you encounter a submission that raises serious ethical concerns — fabricated data, missing consent, plagiarism — flag it through the review workflow rather than handling it privately. Questions about this agreement: [email protected]