What to do if you suspect that a reviewer has appropriated an author's ideas or data?

• An author alleges misconduct on the part of a reviewer
• Thank the author and inform him/her of your intention to investigate
• Obtain the files (the submitted manuscript and the reviewers' reports)

Depending on the method of review used (open or blind), proceed (1 or 2):

1. Open review (the identity of the reviewer is revealed to the author)

• Collect as much documentary evidence as possible from the author and other sources, e.g., the published article, abstract, report on a conference or similar event, a copy of the slides, or an application for funding. Do not contact the reviewer until you have evaluated these documents
• Review the data (or have it reviewed by a suitably qualified person) and decide whether or not the author's claim is substantiated:
  • If the allegation is not substantiated: Discuss the case with the author and request additional data
  • If the allegation appears to be substantiated: Contact the reviewer in writing, explaining your concern and requesting an explanation

The reviewer can respond in one of two ways:

The explanation is satisfactory

• Discuss the case with the author

No response or the explanation is not satisfactory (Consider excluding the reviewer from the database of reviewers during the research and inform the reviewer of your decision). Contact the center where the reviewer works to request an investigation. Several actions are possible:

• The reviewer is excused and the case is discussed with the author
• If no response is received, contact the center again every 3-6 months. Keep the author informed of the course of the investigation
• If it is determined that the reviewer is at fault, then permanently remove the reviewer from the database and consider publishing information about the case in the journal and keep the author informed of the course of the research

2. Anonymous review (the identity of the reviewer is not revealed to the author)

• The author accuses someone who has not asked to review the article for your journal (don't forget the people who refused to review)
• Check for links between the accused person and the named reviewer (e.g., same department, personal relationships)
• Consider contacting the actual reviewer(s) for comment on the accusation and check that they have done the review themselves or have not discussed the article with others
• Explain the situation to the author (decide whether you wish to disclose the name(s) of the actual reviewer(s). However, if your journal uses anonymous review, you must obtain the reviewer's permission before revealing their identity to the author)