Review criteria

Scope of the Journal

• Is the manuscript within the scope of the journal (match the journal's audience)?
• Will clinicians/researchers in the field of bone and joint infection be interested in reading the publication of the manuscript?

Scientific accuracy

• Are the reasons for performing the study and the study aims clear?
• Are the methods to answer the study questions accurate?
• Are the methods used to analyse the data statistically sound? (e.g., sample size appropriate, power analysis performed, correct statistical tests or suitable models, potential sources of bias considered)?
• Are experiments adequately conducted to answer the study question?
• Are the results analysed and interpreted correctly?
• Do the results support the authors' conclusions?

Novelty

• Why is the study question and the conduction of the study important?
• Will the results advance the field of bone and joint infection?
• How novel are the findings?
• In what context should the novelty of the manuscript be viewed?

Composition of the manuscript

• Does the manuscript fit together well?
• Are the most important findings summarized in the abstract?
• Does the introduction illustrates the background of the study question clearly?
• Are methods and results well described and presented?
• Are study findings with the findings of other studies adequately compared? (including current knowledge, key references)
• Are the limitations of the study noted?
• Are the conclusions appropriate and balanced in wording and tone?
• Do the study's results potentially influence future research?

Writing

• Is the manuscript written well and easy to read?
• Does the title accurately say what the study was about?
• Are there sections that can be made more concise?
• Is there a logic and conclusive flow of sentences and arguments?