Peer-review is the system used to assess the quality of a manuscript before it is published. Independent researchers in the relevant research area assess submitted manuscripts for originality, validity and significance to help editors determine whether the manuscript should be published in their journal. You can read more about the peer-review process here.
Population Health Metrics operates a single-blind peer-review system, where the reviewers are aware of the names and affiliations of the authors, but the reviewer reports provided to authors are anonymous.
The benefit of single-blind peer review is that it is the traditional model of peer review that many reviewers are comfortable with, and it facilitates a dispassionate critique of a manuscript.
Submitted articles will generally be reviewed by two external experts. Reviewers advise the editors, who are responsible for the final decision to accept or reject a manuscript.
Reviewers give detailed comments in the following areas to advise the editors and to give guidance to authors on revisions if needed: importance, originality, clarity and presentation, validity and scientific quality, study design and methodology, statistical standards, and justification of conclusions in terms of evidence presented.