The BJA values greatly the role played by expert reviewers in the success of our journal. As reviewers and authors ourselves we appreciate the privilege given to us when we are asked to review a manuscript and, naturally, we wish to do as good a job as possible both for the Editor and for the author. If  you would like to learn more about the role of the reviewer then please sign up for the free BJA Reviewers’ Workshop to be held in London on 4th May 2010.

Alternatively, here are a few tips as to how you the reviewer can help the editor:

• Answer the “request for review” email promptly, irrespective of your response;
• If you would like to review a paper you have been asked to review but you know that you can’t meet the 21 day deadline, email the editor to see if he/she can extend the deadline – such an offer is often accepted, especially during holiday periods;
• When you agree to review a manuscript, please make sure that you can download it from the Manuscript Central system as soon as possible;
• If you think the standard of English makes scientific evaluation impossible please let the Editor know as soon as possible;
• Although you are asked to make a recommendation about the suitability for publication, the Editor is mainly interested in your detailed comments concerning the strengths and weaknesses of the manuscript;
• In your review, try to distinguish between major and minor comments.
• If there is an aspect of the paper that is outwith your expertise please let the Editor know so that appropriate expert review can be obtained separately;

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