JACC Peer Review Exam
Question 1. Which of the following is a primary ethical responsibility of a peer reviewer?
A) Advocating for acceptance or rejection based on personal beliefs
B) Maintaining confidentiality of the manuscript
C) Sharing manuscript details with colleagues
D) Editing the manuscript for publication
Answer: B
Explanation: Peer reviewers must maintain strict confidentiality regarding the content of the
manuscripts they review to uphold the integrity of the peer review process.
Question 2. What should a peer reviewer do if they recognize the work as being from a close
collaborator?
A) Ignore the conflict and proceed
B) Inform the editor of the conflict of interest
C) Continue but mention the conflict in the review
D) Contact the author directly
Answer: B
Explanation: Reviewers should disclose any conflicts of interest, including close collaborations, to the
editor to prevent bias.
Question 3. Which of the following is an example of plagiarism?
A) Paraphrasing and citing the original source
B) Copying text verbatim without quotation or citation
C) Summarizing findings in your own words
D) Using common knowledge without citation
Answer: B
Explanation: Copying text word-for-word without proper acknowledgment constitutes plagiarism.
Question 4. What is the main role of a peer reviewer in the publication process?
A) To accept the manuscript without revision
B) To provide a constructive, unbiased critique
C) To rewrite the manuscript
D) To determine the journal’s impact factor
Answer: B
Explanation: The reviewer’s primary role is to provide constructive feedback and assess the validity and
quality of the study.
Question 5. Which of the following actions constitutes a conflict of interest in peer review?
A) Having no connection to the authors
B) Having financial interests related to the topic
C) Reviewing anonymously
D) Submitting the review on time
Answer: B
Explanation: Financial interests related to the subject can bias the review and must be disclosed.
Question 6. Self-plagiarism is best defined as:
A) Copying someone else’s work
B) Reusing one’s own previously published text without citation
, JACC Peer Review Exam
C) Paraphrasing another author’s work
D) Using open-access material
Answer: B
Explanation: Self-plagiarism involves reusing one's previously published material without proper
citation.
Question 7. Duplicate publication refers to:
A) Publishing the same data or results in multiple journals
B) Publishing different studies in the same journal
C) Submitting a manuscript to one journal only
D) Publishing a preprint
Answer: A
Explanation: Duplicate publication is the unethical practice of publishing the same data in more than
one journal.
Question 8. What is an appropriate response if a reviewer suspects data fabrication?
A) Ignore and continue the review
B) Immediately notify the journal editor
C) Discuss with other colleagues
D) Accept the manuscript
Answer: B
Explanation: Suspected data fabrication should be reported to the editor for further investigation.
Question 9. Which of the following is an example of “salami slicing”?
A) Publishing all results from a study in one manuscript
B) Dividing a large study into multiple small publications
C) Combining results from multiple studies in one article
D) Citing only recent literature
Answer: B
Explanation: “Salami slicing” is the unethical practice of dividing one study into several smaller
publications.
Question 10. Which is NOT a typical responsibility of a peer reviewer?
A) Providing timely feedback
B) Proofreading grammar and spelling exclusively
C) Maintaining confidentiality
D) Disclosing conflicts of interest
Answer: B
Explanation: While clear language is important, the reviewer’s primary role is not to act as a
proofreader.
Question 11. When evaluating the introduction, the reviewer should primarily assess:
A) The length of the introduction
B) Whether the research gap and objectives are clearly stated
C) The number of references
D) The presence of figures
, JACC Peer Review Exam
Answer: B
Explanation: The introduction should identify the research gap and clearly state the study’s purpose.
Question 12. Which of the following best defines an “original investigation”?
A) A review of existing literature
B) An editorial opinion
C) A report of novel research findings
D) A letter to the editor
Answer: C
Explanation: Original investigations report new scientific data or findings.
Question 13. In assessing patient selection, what should a reviewer look for?
A) Only the age range
B) Clear inclusion and exclusion criteria
C) The study’s funding source
D) The author’s credentials
Answer: B
Explanation: Well-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria are essential to minimize selection bias.
Question 14. Which is most important in evaluating data collection methods?
A) The cost of the methods
B) Whether the methods are valid and reliable
C) The author’s preference
D) The journal’s impact factor
Answer: B
Explanation: Data collection methods must be scientifically valid and reliable to ensure trustworthy
results.
Question 15. When reviewing statistical analyses, a reviewer should:
A) Focus only on p-values
B) Ensure the methods are appropriate for the data and design
C) Ignore the statistical section
D) Assume the authors are correct
Answer: B
Explanation: Appropriate statistical methods are crucial for accurate interpretation of study findings.
Question 16. A common problem with the presentation of results is:
A) Too many references
B) Discrepancies between text, tables, and figures
C) Lack of author biographies
D) Excessive background information
Answer: B
Explanation: Results should be consistent across the text, tables, and figures.
Question 17. Which of the following is NOT a typical component of a discussion section?
A) Interpretation of findings
B) Clinical relevance
, JACC Peer Review Exam
C) Reference to study limitations
D) Detailed methods
Answer: D
Explanation: Methods are described in their own section, not in the discussion.
Question 18. The main purpose of a structured abstract in an original investigation is to:
A) Summarize the manuscript’s background only
B) Provide a clear, concise summary of study aims, methods, results, and conclusions
C) List all references
D) Describe future research
Answer: B
Explanation: Structured abstracts give readers an overview of the study’s key aspects.
Question 19. When reviewing a state-of-the-art review, the reviewer should focus on:
A) The novelty of the original data
B) The completeness and currency of the literature review
C) The inclusion of personal opinions
D) The brevity of the article
Answer: B
Explanation: Comprehensive and up-to-date literature coverage is essential for review articles.
Question 20. What is a key criterion in assessing a case report?
A) Length of the manuscript
B) Uniqueness and educational value of the case
C) Number of tables
D) Author’s institutional affiliation
Answer: B
Explanation: Case reports should present unique or instructive clinical cases.
Question 21. Editorials are primarily intended to:
A) Report original data
B) Express opinions or commentary on current issues
C) Present systematic reviews
D) Provide clinical guidelines
Answer: B
Explanation: Editorials offer expert perspectives or commentary on relevant topics.
Question 22. Which measure is NOT a descriptive statistic?
A) Mean
B) Median
C) Hazard ratio
D) Standard deviation
Answer: C
Explanation: Hazard ratio is an inferential statistic, not a descriptive measure.
Question 23. A p-value less than 0.05 usually indicates:
A) No relationship between variables
Question 1. Which of the following is a primary ethical responsibility of a peer reviewer?
A) Advocating for acceptance or rejection based on personal beliefs
B) Maintaining confidentiality of the manuscript
C) Sharing manuscript details with colleagues
D) Editing the manuscript for publication
Answer: B
Explanation: Peer reviewers must maintain strict confidentiality regarding the content of the
manuscripts they review to uphold the integrity of the peer review process.
Question 2. What should a peer reviewer do if they recognize the work as being from a close
collaborator?
A) Ignore the conflict and proceed
B) Inform the editor of the conflict of interest
C) Continue but mention the conflict in the review
D) Contact the author directly
Answer: B
Explanation: Reviewers should disclose any conflicts of interest, including close collaborations, to the
editor to prevent bias.
Question 3. Which of the following is an example of plagiarism?
A) Paraphrasing and citing the original source
B) Copying text verbatim without quotation or citation
C) Summarizing findings in your own words
D) Using common knowledge without citation
Answer: B
Explanation: Copying text word-for-word without proper acknowledgment constitutes plagiarism.
Question 4. What is the main role of a peer reviewer in the publication process?
A) To accept the manuscript without revision
B) To provide a constructive, unbiased critique
C) To rewrite the manuscript
D) To determine the journal’s impact factor
Answer: B
Explanation: The reviewer’s primary role is to provide constructive feedback and assess the validity and
quality of the study.
Question 5. Which of the following actions constitutes a conflict of interest in peer review?
A) Having no connection to the authors
B) Having financial interests related to the topic
C) Reviewing anonymously
D) Submitting the review on time
Answer: B
Explanation: Financial interests related to the subject can bias the review and must be disclosed.
Question 6. Self-plagiarism is best defined as:
A) Copying someone else’s work
B) Reusing one’s own previously published text without citation
, JACC Peer Review Exam
C) Paraphrasing another author’s work
D) Using open-access material
Answer: B
Explanation: Self-plagiarism involves reusing one's previously published material without proper
citation.
Question 7. Duplicate publication refers to:
A) Publishing the same data or results in multiple journals
B) Publishing different studies in the same journal
C) Submitting a manuscript to one journal only
D) Publishing a preprint
Answer: A
Explanation: Duplicate publication is the unethical practice of publishing the same data in more than
one journal.
Question 8. What is an appropriate response if a reviewer suspects data fabrication?
A) Ignore and continue the review
B) Immediately notify the journal editor
C) Discuss with other colleagues
D) Accept the manuscript
Answer: B
Explanation: Suspected data fabrication should be reported to the editor for further investigation.
Question 9. Which of the following is an example of “salami slicing”?
A) Publishing all results from a study in one manuscript
B) Dividing a large study into multiple small publications
C) Combining results from multiple studies in one article
D) Citing only recent literature
Answer: B
Explanation: “Salami slicing” is the unethical practice of dividing one study into several smaller
publications.
Question 10. Which is NOT a typical responsibility of a peer reviewer?
A) Providing timely feedback
B) Proofreading grammar and spelling exclusively
C) Maintaining confidentiality
D) Disclosing conflicts of interest
Answer: B
Explanation: While clear language is important, the reviewer’s primary role is not to act as a
proofreader.
Question 11. When evaluating the introduction, the reviewer should primarily assess:
A) The length of the introduction
B) Whether the research gap and objectives are clearly stated
C) The number of references
D) The presence of figures
, JACC Peer Review Exam
Answer: B
Explanation: The introduction should identify the research gap and clearly state the study’s purpose.
Question 12. Which of the following best defines an “original investigation”?
A) A review of existing literature
B) An editorial opinion
C) A report of novel research findings
D) A letter to the editor
Answer: C
Explanation: Original investigations report new scientific data or findings.
Question 13. In assessing patient selection, what should a reviewer look for?
A) Only the age range
B) Clear inclusion and exclusion criteria
C) The study’s funding source
D) The author’s credentials
Answer: B
Explanation: Well-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria are essential to minimize selection bias.
Question 14. Which is most important in evaluating data collection methods?
A) The cost of the methods
B) Whether the methods are valid and reliable
C) The author’s preference
D) The journal’s impact factor
Answer: B
Explanation: Data collection methods must be scientifically valid and reliable to ensure trustworthy
results.
Question 15. When reviewing statistical analyses, a reviewer should:
A) Focus only on p-values
B) Ensure the methods are appropriate for the data and design
C) Ignore the statistical section
D) Assume the authors are correct
Answer: B
Explanation: Appropriate statistical methods are crucial for accurate interpretation of study findings.
Question 16. A common problem with the presentation of results is:
A) Too many references
B) Discrepancies between text, tables, and figures
C) Lack of author biographies
D) Excessive background information
Answer: B
Explanation: Results should be consistent across the text, tables, and figures.
Question 17. Which of the following is NOT a typical component of a discussion section?
A) Interpretation of findings
B) Clinical relevance
, JACC Peer Review Exam
C) Reference to study limitations
D) Detailed methods
Answer: D
Explanation: Methods are described in their own section, not in the discussion.
Question 18. The main purpose of a structured abstract in an original investigation is to:
A) Summarize the manuscript’s background only
B) Provide a clear, concise summary of study aims, methods, results, and conclusions
C) List all references
D) Describe future research
Answer: B
Explanation: Structured abstracts give readers an overview of the study’s key aspects.
Question 19. When reviewing a state-of-the-art review, the reviewer should focus on:
A) The novelty of the original data
B) The completeness and currency of the literature review
C) The inclusion of personal opinions
D) The brevity of the article
Answer: B
Explanation: Comprehensive and up-to-date literature coverage is essential for review articles.
Question 20. What is a key criterion in assessing a case report?
A) Length of the manuscript
B) Uniqueness and educational value of the case
C) Number of tables
D) Author’s institutional affiliation
Answer: B
Explanation: Case reports should present unique or instructive clinical cases.
Question 21. Editorials are primarily intended to:
A) Report original data
B) Express opinions or commentary on current issues
C) Present systematic reviews
D) Provide clinical guidelines
Answer: B
Explanation: Editorials offer expert perspectives or commentary on relevant topics.
Question 22. Which measure is NOT a descriptive statistic?
A) Mean
B) Median
C) Hazard ratio
D) Standard deviation
Answer: C
Explanation: Hazard ratio is an inferential statistic, not a descriptive measure.
Question 23. A p-value less than 0.05 usually indicates:
A) No relationship between variables
