Peer Review Pro Tips: 9 Ways to Getting Started

Kicking off your path in peer reviewing can be frightening, but don't worry; this blog is your go-to resource for grasping the fundamentals of peer reviewing. I will cover the fundamental tactics for improving your reviewing skills, including assuring professionalism, using professional language, reading all instructions, and offering meaningful value to the authors. Peer review is essential to the academic conversation, keeping you updated on the newest research while also improving your work. So, whether you're an experienced reviewer or just getting started, read for insider recommendations that will enhance your review process and make your contributions stand out.  

Here are the 9 pro tips that would improve your peer review process.

Professionalism

There's a reason peer review is called that. You, the reviewer, are the peer. If you do not do it for them, why should they do it for you? Peer review is an essential element of your job as an academic contributor. It demonstrates that you are a member of academia and willing to participate in the interaction that improves your professional work. It is a professional way to stay connected with like-minded professionals.

Polite Language

If the work is poor, propose a rejection but avoid personal attacks. Rejection should be a pleasant experience for anyone; we learn and improve. Don't say anything you wouldn't say to someone's face.

Read the Instructions

When you receive an email inviting you to evaluate an article, most journals will include a link to accept or reject the article and an intensive guide on how to do it. Don't answer the editor with repetitive questions already found on the website. Simply click the invitation link and follow the instructions. Only ask when you fail to find an answer on your own.

Add Value and Help

Suggest to the authors how to overcome the issues you've identified. It's the simplest thing in the world to find gaps in something, but it is often far more difficult to provide solutions. A review is more than just a revision, rejection, or acceptance. It should be meaningful and useful to the authors. If it is too short, it will most likely fail to accomplish the purpose of the review. So be talkative in a professional way.

Be the Expert

Being a reviewer is not the same as being an editor in terms of proofreading or making decisions. Don't only load a review with editing and identifying language faults. If the paper has many mistakes, inform the editor and provide examples for the authors to improve their work. Concentrate more on demonstrating the extra value of your scientific expertise than on missing commas, etc. If you believe the work should be professionally proofread as part of your revision, please state so.

Don’t Miss Deadlines!

When you commit to examining a paper with a set timeline, you should stick to it. Believe it or not, editors keep track of who is evaluating what and when. The timeline editors provide is intended to be timely but not overly demanding. If you cannot submit your review on time, make sure that you communicate that with the editor.

Be Realistic

Be realistic about the work given and the adjustments you propose, and ensure that your role is highly efficient during the peer review. You do not have the last say in the manuscript's status. However, the editor has that. Sometimes, editors overestimate reviewers' recommendations. So be careful with your recommendations. You can and should discuss with the editor why; ideally, this is a learning opportunity for everyone. Refrain from throwing out comments that would not benefit the author or the paper.

Be Empathetic

Consider the best evaluation you have received regarding leading a paper forward. Then consider the worst. Which would you rather have on average? Then, imagine yourself in the shoes of the author whose paper is being reviewed. Where on the scale will your review fall? What goes around comes around, so making sure your evaluations are scientific, helpful, and respectful is an intelligent idea.

Be Organised

Much like a paper, a review is a form of communication that requires structure and logical flow. It's crucial to avoid the same flaws you're critiquing in a paper, such as logical faults, grammatical errors, and poor structure. To ensure this, draft your review as you go, then redraft it. Many publishers' websites offer concise tips for structuring a peer review. Familiarize yourself with these and apply the key principles. Strive for neatness to demonstrate clarity and a high level of professionalism.

Here is a way to help you structure your review, like there are the main sections to be included.

• Paper structure
• The quality of data sources
• Techniques, methods, instruments
• Logical flow of argument
• Validity of conclusions
• Style, voice, and linguistic issues.

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