New Journal of Physics (NJP) is an open-access, electronic-only journal publishing original research articles across the whole of physics. Details about NJP's subject coverage can be found in the journal scope. Completely free to read, NJP is funded by an article publication charge.

An NJP article should report new and original results that are (i) of high scientific value, and (ii) make a substantial advance within a subfield of physics. The impact of the research should be significant enough that physicists outside the immediate field would be interested in the work. Authors of technically correct work that is only likely to be of some interest to a few experts in the field will, in general, be advised to seek publication in a more specialized journal.

Articles in NJP should have an abstract, introduction and conclusion that highlights, and makes accessible, the main results and their significance to a broad, non-specialist readership. The main body of the article should not however compromise on the scientific rigour and detail demanded by an international physics research journal, and there should be sufficient technical and background information to enable peers to corroborate results and follow the details of the work described. It is expected that an NJP article will be well read and highly cited, and make a substantial contribution to the subject area.

The NJP referee report form and accompanying notes below outline the main areas and criteria we ask referees to consider in assessing whether an article meets the high standards of the journal.

As a token of our appreciation for the crucial help of referees in maintaining NJP’s high standards, referees can receive one credit worth £100 for each paper that they referee for the journal. This may be used in part payment for the publication of their own submission(s) to NJP. To qualify for the credit, referees must provide a report within two weeks of being asked to report and submit their own paper within 12 months of refereeing for the journal.

I take this opportunity to thank all of NJP’s referees for their vital contribution to the ongoing development and success of the journal.

Dr Tim Smith
Senior Publisher
New Journal of Physics
E-mail: njp@iop.org

Guide to the key points of the referee report form

Referees are asked to complete the report form to assist the Editorial Board in judging the suitability of an article for publication in NJP. It should always however be supplemented by a full and detailed written report that justifies the decision as to why an articles does, or does not, meet NJP’s editorial criteria.

In assessing an article, referees are requested to address a number of key points relating to the scientific quality and significance of the research, and the accessibility of its presentation to the journal's broad readership.

Global rating of the paper

• Has the article been written with scientific rigour, accuracy and correctness?
• Is there a clear discussion of the ideas presented, with appropriate referencing for the context of the paper?
• Does the article contain information not known before and how important is this to the research field in question?
• Is the research presented put in context of the research field as a whole?

Clarity

• NJP articles should be accessible to both specialists and non-specialists. The abstract, introduction and conclusion should be clearly written (accessible to the non-specialist) and the main body of the article should contain enough information for other researchers in the field to check the results presented. Do you think this has been achieved?
• Is the article written in an easy to follow format, with a clear, informative title?
• Is the standard of English acceptable? [Note: you are not expected to correct punctuation or grammar except when the meaning needs clarification by an expert.]
• Are the diagrams, tables and captions clear and essential?

Global rating of the paper

Clarity

Recommendation