The first section of the final assessment evaluates reviewers' understanding of the review process. The questions in this section cover topics such as:

ACS provides downloadable summary documents for each module. Use these as a reference when you need a quick refresh before the assessment. The resources condense the most important points into a manageable format.

To help you prepare effectively for the , what specific module topic or ethical scenario (like handling conflicts of interest or data checking) Share public link

Ethics is the most critical component of the ACS assessment. You must be able to identify and appropriately handle potential biases.

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: Reviewers often reference ACS's formal guidelines on how to review a paper , which outlines how to provide constructive feedback without simply repeating the abstract.

: How to write constructive, high-caliber referee reports and communicate ideas clearly to editors . Review & Preparation Strategy

The final assessment heavily tests your understanding of COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines and ACS specific ethical standards. Conflicts of Interest (COI)

If you can tell me which (Ethics, Data, or Writing) you’re finding the most difficult, I can help you break down those concepts further!

Modern ethics guidelines generally prohibit uploading unpublished manuscript text into generative AI tools, as this breaches confidentiality. Identifying Conflicts of Interest (COI) You must recuse yourself from a review if you have:

Based on the course curriculum, the final assessment focuses on these fundamental areas of high-quality peer review:

Editors look for reviewers who help them make a clear decision (Accept, Minor Revision, Major Revision, or Reject) backed by specific evidence from the text. The Value of Completing the Assessment Honestly

Understand the specific criteria for the journal you are reviewing for (e.g., JACS vs. ACS Omega ).

ACS Reviewer Lab - ACS Institute - American Chemical Society

You must be able to identify what constitutes a conflict of interest. This includes personal relationships with the authors, financial interests in the research, or working at the same institution. If a COI exists, you must recuse yourself from the review.