Peer-Reviewed Articles Are More Credible And Valuable

When searching for professional strategies of how to write a peer review, it is valuable to define the term. Peer review, also known as refereeing, is the final step of paper evaluation from a professional reviewer before publishing. Peers are the experts in the field and review the article before it is published. The main purpose of the scholarly peer-review process is to evaluate the soundness, validity, authenticity, and originality of scholarly articles. The key point of peer review is to filter out lower quality articles and thereby maintain the integrity of science.

Although refereeing seems like a challenging step, its outcome is undeniable. The scholarly peer review process increases paper quality and adds indelible value to the published article. Since the criteria of peer-reviewed articles are often used as an additional filter in the search results, the reviewed scholarly article becomes even easier to find for readers, when searched for a piece of authoritative scientific information.

Referee Role Ensures Knowledge Growth And Proffesional Recognition

Even though the peer review process is based on a communication between author, reviewer, and editorial board, there are specifically determined responsibilities for both sides. Being an editor or reviewer of a journal is a truly prestigious and productive experience. In addition, being a referee is a great opportunity to give a special contribution and add more value to the scientific community.

Although refereeing can be seen as a tedious process that requires diligence, its benefits are essential.

• It’s the opportunity to adjudge the suitability of the work for publication. Through this part, the reviewer improves oneself editing, writing, and critical thinking skills.
• It’s the ability to make new suggestions for the author. Through the review of other researchers work referee will be benefited from updated knowledge and expertise within the field. The ability to relate thoughts to others will be improved in an efficient way as well.
• Many more benefits such as getting to know various writing styles, gathering new ideas in the field, being published on paper, etc.

As beneficial as peer work is, it’s also appreciable to highlight the professional responsibility the process of the scholarly peer-review process requires. If a person receives an invitation to contribute as a reviewer, one is not only considered to be an expert in his field but also receives an opportunity to get recognized by editorial board members. Thereby, among these opportunities, great professional responsibility comes along for the referee.

How To Write A Peer-Review?

If you are searching for professional strategies on how to write a peer review, you are reading the right article. Here, we disclose strategies on how to tell if an article is peer-reviewed and provide 5 key steps of the peer-review process.

1. Gather supplies and specifics of the publication.
2. Read the manuscript through.
3. Ask the questions on the global aspect.
4. Evaluate the local aspects of the manuscript.
5. Prepare feedback for the author.

Now, let’s review go throughout every point in a more detailed way.

Step #1: Gather supplies and specifics of publication

Report format overview is the first step, to begin with, the paper review process. In fact, the structure of the review report differs between journals – it could be both an informal and formal approach. If a formal approach provides concrete criteria and requires to address specific questions via a questionnaire in the review, the informal format is less strict and relies on referee evolving style. Thereby, it’s highly important to settle first the criteria that refereeing paper has to meet.

Step #2: Reading the manuscript through

Reading the manuscript contains the actual reading of the paper. After reading the article abstract, the referee should understand the aim, key data, and conclusion of the manuscript. The first read-through is highly important when forming an initial impression of the manuscript.

Step #3: Ask the questions on the global aspect

Asking the right questions is another significant part of the peer work. No wonder why asking the right question is called finding half of the solution for the problem. The right questions not only determine the direction of the process but also points out to core problems of the submitted paper. In order to judge the quality of the research and form an overall impression, it’s recommended to focus on the questions that are focused on a global aspect first. Global aspects of the submitted manuscript are prioritized because they affect the whole text and cannot be examined without reading the whole document in the first place. This order of refereeing process allows to get the essential goals of the text and encourages to ask key questions regarding the purpose, audience or the how well the author organizes information in the manuscript, for example:

1. What is the main question addressed by the research? Is it relevant and interesting?
2. How original the topic and the findings of the research are? What additional value do the findings on the subject area add? How it differs from other published material in the area of the subject?
3. How well the text is written? Is the methodology sound? Is the paper clear and easy to read?
4. Are the conclusions logical and consistent with the arguments and evidence presented?

It is important to evaluate if the authors objective is comprehensible, does he make his case effectively and hits all of the requirements of the assignment. After the global aspects of the paper are observed, it’s time for manuscript details to be questioned next.

Step #4: Evaluate local aspects of the manuscript

Often referred to as proofreading, local aspects of the submitted scholarly article are the ones who require attention to details. If global aspects are oriented to make great changes, local aspects address the author making changes in a sentence and paragraph level items. They include things like spelling, punctuation, grammar, technical errors, and word usage. Local aspect comments are most useful for the final editing stage when attention to detail is needed.

Step #5: Prepare feedback for the author

Preparing the feedback of the paper is an important part of the refereeing and it’s important to make it in an organized way. It’s recommended first to start with positive comments and tell the author what worked well. Second and the most important part – to tell the author what could have been better and what suggestions you have to get to the desired result.

The scholarly peer-review process is also known as a revision activity meaning to re-see the text with new eyes. When reviewers make comments, questions, or suggestions, they often make for authors a new perspective, and vision of their writing.

Peer-Review Focuses On Helping The Editor In Decision Making

The reviewed publication is highly valued in the scientific community and most presses and publications require peer review before articles or books are published. When accepting or rejecting a manuscript, editors rely on reviewers’ recommendations and comments based on their area of expertise. As different aspects of comments are relevant for the editor and the author, it is advisable for the referee to separate these comments.

Keep Your Feedback Well Argued

It’s highly important for comments and recommendations to be synchronized, matched, logical and well-argued. If the paper is recommended to be rejected, it’s also important to clearly state reasons. The more specific referee is, the easier decision and work for an editor is.

The Importance of Peer Review Process Management System

Although it’s crucial for editors to follow journal guidelines and criteria when reviewing a paper, let’s not forget that the paper assessment process also involves the input gathered during the peer-review stage. Editors’ and peer-reviewers’ work goes hand in hand in efficient management and evaluation of manuscript submissions. Appropriately chosen review management tools can also significantly improve the quality of their efforts by increasing the efficiency of the peer-review process.

One such tool is PubliMill peer-review system – simple, convenient, time-saving, and adaptable solution for all types of publishers for efficient peer-review process management. It helps to track peer-review processes across one or more journals. PubliMill peer-review system do not require specific IT knowledge, all types of users can efficiently handle the processes themselves. Only short training will be needed to figure out the logic of the system.