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2 years ago in Scholarly Etiquette By Varun
I’ve been asked to peer review a manuscript where I immediately recognize the work of a close friend. What is the ethical protocol‑ Should I review it, decline, or disclose the relationship?
The title and topic of a manuscript I was assigned to review are unmistakably from my friend's lab. We collaborate informally and meet regularly. I want to be fair, but I'm worried about both bias and the appearance of bias. What is the standard procedure here?
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By Batte Answered 3 weeks ago
The cardinal rule is transparency over assumed objectivity. You must immediately decline to review and notify the editor of the conflict. Do not even open the manuscript file, as this might lock you into the system. In your decline email to the editor, state simply: "Thank you for this invitation. I must decline as I have a personal friendship/collaborative relationship with the corresponding author, which constitutes a conflict of interest. I recommend you invite a reviewer without this connection to ensure an impartial evaluation." This is not a reflection of your integrity; it is a standard and expected practice. Attempting to review "fairly" despite the conflict puts you, your friend, the editor, and the journal's integrity at risk. Professional etiquette demands clear boundaries in these situations.
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