For Reviewers

Duties and Responsibilities of Reviewer

Role of Peer Review in Editorial Decisions

Peer review assists the Editorial Board in making informed decisions regarding the acceptance or rejection of manuscripts. It also helps authors improve the quality and clarity of their papers through constructive and professional feedback.

Timeliness

Reviewers who feel unqualified for the subject area of the manuscript, or who know that they cannot submit their review within the requested time, should inform the editor immediately and decline the invitation.

Confidentiality and Anonymity

All manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential. They should not be shared or discussed with others without prior authorization from the editor.
The Journal applies a single-blind review process: reviewers are aware of the authors’ identity, but the authors do not know who the reviewers are. This approach allows reviewers to consider the context of the authors’ work while maintaining an impartial evaluation process.

Objectivity and Tone

Reviews should be conducted impartially and professionally. Personal criticism of the author is inappropriate. Reviewers should present their assessments clearly and support their comments with logical arguments or references to relevant literature.

Verification of Sources and Prior Work

Reviewers are encouraged to:

  • Point out relevant published work that has not been cited;
  • Identify any incorrect or unsupported statements;
  • Notify the editor of any suspected plagiarism, data fabrication, or significant overlap with previously published material.

Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

Information obtained during the review process must remain confidential and may not be used for personal benefit. Reviewers should not evaluate manuscripts where conflicts of interest exist due to competitive, collaborative, financial, or personal relationships with any of the authors or institutions involved.

Why Accept a Review Invitation

  • To help authors strengthen their research through your expertise;
  • To uphold the scientific quality and credibility of the Journal;
  • To stay informed about current research trends in environmental engineering;
  • To contribute to the development of the international research community.

Preparing the Review

Before starting, please:

  • Review the Journal’s Aims and Scope and Instructions for Authors to confirm the manuscript’s suitability;
  • Consider the overall structure, originality, scientific contribution, and clarity of presentation;
  • Evaluate whether the methodology, data, and conclusions are valid and appropriately supported.

Key questions to consider:

  • Is the paper original and scientifically sound?
  • Are the methods clear, appropriate, and reproducible?
  • Are the conclusions justified by the results?
  • Is the paper well organized and written in clear English?
  • Does the topic fit within the Journal’s focus and readership?

Recommendation

After completing the assessment, please recommend one of the following outcomes:

  • Accept without changes
  • Minor revision
  • Major revision
  • Reject

Provide constructive comments that can guide the author in improving the manuscript. Remarks for the editor (confidential comments) may be added if necessary.

If You Cannot Complete the Review

If you are unable to accept or complete a review, please notify the editorial office promptly. When possible, suggest another qualified expert. This ensures that the review process remains efficient and fair.

Review Workflow

Reviewers are invited by the Editor-in-Chief or Associate Editors and are expected to submit their reports through the Journal’s online submission system within the agreed deadline. All communication should take place through the editorial platform or by e-mail with the editorial office.

Privacy Notice for Reviewers

By registering as a reviewer, you agree that your contact details and review history may be used by the editorial office for peer-review management and communication related to the Journal.
Your personal data will not be shared with third parties or used for purposes other than those directly related to manuscript handling.
If you wish to have your data removed from the system, please contact the editorial office at [casopis@gfv.hr] using the subject line:
“DEREGISTER: [Your Name]” (please send from your registered e-mail address).