Revised peer review policy takes effect

The editorial board has adopted a revised peer review policy, effective for all proposals received from the current publishing year onward. The revision follows a review of practice against COPE guidance.

What has changed

Referees must now hold no affiliation with the author's institution, where previously the requirement was limited to the author's department. Conflict-of-interest declarations are required from authors at the proposal stage rather than on acceptance.

The correction procedure has been formalised: errors affecting the scholarly record are now published as a dated erratum alongside the title, and retractions carry a signed statement of reason that remains permanently accessible.

The full text is published on the Editorial Standards page.