14. What is the peer-review process for Arthritis Research & Therapy ?

All research articles undergo peer review. Submitted manuscripts are subject to immediate screening by Arthritis Research & Therapy's in-house Editorial Team and manuscripts that do not meet the standards of the journal may be declined without further review or considered for another journal in the BMC series.

Appropriate manuscripts will be sent to up to 4 independent referees (most manuscripts are peer-reviewed by 2-3 independent experts), who have agreed in advance to referee rapidly. The editorial team makes every effort to give the authors a decision within six weeks.

Referees are asked to declare any competing interests they may have in reviewing a manuscript.

All peer review is closed - authors are not given the names of the reviewers of their manuscript, unless the referee elects to sign his/her report.

If an author is not satisfied with the decision made on their manuscript, they are able to contact the editorial office with an appeal. A second opinion on the manuscript will be sought where appropriate.