When a journal asks for suggested reviewers, provide 3–5 qualified researchers who have expertise in your paper's topic but no conflicts of interest with you or your co-authors.
Why Journals Request Reviewer Suggestions
Most journals ask for reviewer suggestions to speed up the peer review process. Editors may not be familiar with every niche in their field, so your recommendations help them identify experts who can evaluate your work fairly and knowledgeably. While editors aren't obligated to use your suggestions, providing thoughtful recommendations demonstrates professionalism and can expedite review.
Who to Suggest
Choose researchers who:
- Have published recently (within 3–5 years) in your specific research area
- Work at different institutions from all co-authors
- Have no personal or professional conflicts of interest with your team
- Are active in the field (check their recent publication record and citation patterns)
Avoid suggesting:
- Close collaborators, former advisors, or current colleagues
- Researchers you've recently co-authored with (typically within the past 3 years)
- Anyone who might benefit directly from your work being published
- Junior researchers without established peer review experience
How to Find Appropriate Reviewers
Start by reviewing the reference list in your manuscript — authors you've cited extensively are often good candidates since they work in adjacent areas. Check who has published in your target journal recently, particularly in special issues related to your topic. You can also look at who has cited your previous work or presented at the same conferences.
When searching for potential reviewers, focus on researchers whose recent publications demonstrate deep knowledge of your methodology or theoretical framework, not just your general topic area. For a more efficient approach, use an academic search engine that understands research intent and filters noise.
What Information to Provide
Most journals require each suggested reviewer's full name, institutional affiliation, email address, and a brief explanation of their expertise (usually 1–2 sentences). Some journals also ask you to confirm there are no conflicts of interest. Be honest and specific about why each person is qualified to review your manuscript.
If you're asked to suggest reviewers to exclude, use this option sparingly and only when there's a legitimate conflict — such as direct competitors or researchers with whom you've had professional disagreements.
