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What Editors Look for in Peer Reviewers and Peer Reviews
When considering the best person for the job, editors have a wide range of criteria, but there are four things which most editors look for in their ideal peer reviewer:
- EXPERT in their field (ideally having published in this area)
- UNBIASED with no conflicts of interest
- AVAILABLE and capable of delivering the review in a timely manner
- CONSTRUCTIVE rather than destructive, providing helpful feedback rather than negative criticism
When requesting a peer review, editors look for four essential questions that should be the basis of your review. Editors are likely to be more susceptible to your review if it is structured using these questions.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
- What does this article contribute to the field?
- Is this contribution properly identified and
presented? - Is there evidence of efficient and effective
research, and is this research properly discussed? - Does the discussion reflect the underlying
research? - Does the study lie within the journal scope and is
it appropriate for the target readership?
PROBLEMS TO WATCH OUT FOR
- The article is similar or identical to something
you’ve seen in another journal - The language is poor and detracts from the
impact of the argument - Sections required by the journal are missing
- Lack of recent and relevant references for the
topic of study - Lack of substantiating evidence (either data or
relevant scholarly studies)
WRITING UP YOUR REVIEW
- Keep criticism constructive and unbiased
- Avoid personal or offensive comments
- Be succinct
- Do not communicate directly with the authors
- Deliver your report on time
YOUR SUGGESTION FOR THE EDITOR
- Accept without revisions
- Accept with revisions
- Revise and resubmit
- Not suitable for the journal