How do journals select reviewers for articles?

Journal editors select reviewers primarily through a combination of database searches, personal knowledge, and author suggestions, aiming to identify experts qualified to impartially evaluate the submitted manuscript's quality, originality, and validity. The selection process ensures appropriate peer review by matching reviewer expertise to the manuscript's specific subject matter. Key principles involve identifying reviewers with demonstrated expertise in the manuscript's specific field, proven publishing records, and a history of providing constructive, timely reviews. Editors verify impartiality by avoiding reviewers with conflicts of interest (e.g., close collaborators, institutional competitors, or personal relationships). They also consider geographic diversity, methodological experience relevant to the paper, reviewer availability, and past performance reliability. Selection typically occurs within the journal's established reviewer pool, augmented by searches in scholarly databases like PubMed or Scopus. The selection process involves editors consulting the journal's reviewer database, examining the manuscript's references for potential candidates, and sometimes utilizing academic networks or author-suggested names. Invitations specify the manuscript title/abstract for reviewer consideration. Software often aids in managing conflicts and tracking invitations. Successful implementation ensures competent, objective assessment, upholding peer review integrity, contributing to editorial decisions, and ultimately enhancing the quality and credibility of published research.