Dear Dr. Alenius,

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We look forward to receiving your revised manuscript.

Kind regards,

Pei Boon Ooi, Ph.D.

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

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Reviewers' comments:

Reviewer's Responses to Questions

Comments to the Author

1. Is the manuscript technically sound, and do the data support the conclusions?

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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2. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously? -->?>

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: I Don't Know

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3. Have the authors made all data underlying the findings in their manuscript fully available??>

The PLOS Data policy

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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4. Is the manuscript presented in an intelligible fashion and written in standard English??>

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1:  The manuscript makes a meaningful contribution and demonstrates methodological rigor and clarity. Addressing the minor revisions would improve clarity and impact, especially regarding educational practice and generalizability.

Reviewer #2:  The manuscript is well written, novel, and relevant for nursing education. The response rate (89%) is commendable.

Some minor points:

1. There are some ambiguity in terms of "knowledge" and "ability". The manuscript can benefit from clarifying the conceptual difference between "knowledge" and "ability" self-efficacy. E.g., knowledge = “I know what to advise,” ability = “I can conduct a lifestyle counselling session confidently”. Something along that line.

2. Since this study is done in one institution, what the authors would expect for other nursing students, since we have differences in curricula across institutions and countries?

3. In the discussion, perhaps worth highlighting "educational implications" more concretely. Readers would be interested to learn what specific training interventions or curriculum changes would the authors recommend based on these findings?

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: No

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Attachments

Attachment

Submitted filename: Nursing_students_self-efficacy_in_lifestyle_counselling.docx

Nursing Students’ Self-Efficacy in Lifestyle Counselling: Associations with Learning Methods

PONE-D-25-19531R1

Dear Dr. Alenius,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

Within one week, you’ll receive an e-mail detailing the required amendments. When these have been addressed, you’ll receive a formal acceptance letter and your manuscript will be scheduled for publication.

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Kind regards,

Pei Boon Ooi, Ph.D.

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

All has been addressed well and accurately- thank you.

Reviewers' comments: