Editors guide the peer review process and ensure that published research meets JSLR standards for methodological rigor and clinical relevance. Editors also help maintain transparency and fairness in manuscript decisions.

• Sound data provenance and ethical compliance
• Reproducible clinical and analytical methods
• Clear interpretation of hepatobiliary findings
• Adequate validation and benchmarking

Editors must disclose conflicts of interest and recuse themselves when necessary. Appeals are handled transparently and may involve additional editorial review.

• Confirm scope alignment and data availability
• Check ethical approvals and permits
• Verify reviewer expertise and balance
• Ensure decisions are supported by evidence

• Encourage consistent decision letters and clear revision guidance.
• Use standardized scoring rubrics for methodological quality.
• Ensure reviewer expertise matches the manuscript topic.
• Confirm ethical approvals and patient consent documentation.
• Monitor turnaround times and communicate delays promptly.
• Promote data transparency and reproducibility statements.
• Document conflicts of interest and recuse when needed.
• Coordinate with guest editors to align on scope fit.
• Verify clinical trial registration details when applicable.
• Ensure statistical review for complex models or trials.
• Request data access statements for sensitive clinical datasets.
• Encourage clear reporting of diagnostic criteria and staging.
• Align reviewer feedback with journal policy and scope.
• Escalate potential integrity concerns to the editorial office.
• Encourage adherence to CONSORT, STROBE, PRISMA, or ARRIVE as applicable.
• Review trial registration details and ensure public registry links.
• Check that adverse event reporting is complete and clearly stated.
• Verify that imaging methods and scoring systems are adequately described.
• Ensure statistical analysis plans align with reported outcomes.

JSLR is committed to rigorous, transparent publishing in hepatology and spleen research. We emphasize reproducible clinical methods, clear reporting of diagnostic criteria, and ethical compliance across all article types.

The editorial office supports authors, editors, and reviewers with clear guidance and responsive communication. For questions about scope or workflow, contact [email protected].

We encourage continuous improvement in reporting practices and share updates that help the community maintain high standards in hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal research.