How To Write A Peer Review [Download Free Samples]

Have you accepted an invitation to review an article or a publishable manuscript but need help with how to go about it? We understand sometimes it takes work to review a manuscript, even if you are an expert. After reading this blog, you will become more knowledgeable and a solid peer reviewer. So, let us know how to write a peer review and the best practices. 

Peer review guidelines for students improve the clarity of the author in specific areas of the manuscript. Constructive feedback by the subject matter expert highlights the strengths and weaknesses that can be enhanced when editors and authors follow the ethical guidelines on the journal’s website.  

How To Write A Peer Review?

It is your decision to accept or reject the manuscript. But once you get the manuscript, you cannot disregard any part of the content. Experienced reviewers mention both positive and negative confidential comments.  

1. Read The Manuscript: This is the initial and most fundamental step. The reviewer needs to thoroughly read the manuscript to understand its content, methodology, and conclusions.

2. Evaluate The Manuscript: This involves a detailed assessment of the manuscript’s scientific merit, originality, and relevance to the field. The reviewer should consider the strength of the arguments, the validity of the data and methodology, and the overall contribution to the field.  

3. Plagiarism And Grammar Check Is A Must: It’s important to check for plagiarism to ensure that the content is original. Grammar and language checks are also important for clarity and comprehensibility, although these may sometimes be secondary to the scientific evaluation, depending on the journal’s policy. Grammatical errors or typos can reduce the quality of published paper. 

4. Relevance To The Topic: The reviewer must assess how well the manuscript aligns with the scope and aims of the journal or publication. This includes evaluating whether the research addresses an essential question in the field.

5. Write A Constructive And Clear Peer Review: This is a critical part of the entire process. The reviewer should give constructive feedback, highlighting both strengths and weaknesses. The aim is to offer constructive criticism that helps the authors improve their manuscript. This should include specific, actionable suggestions for improvement.

6. Recommend An Editor: The peer reviewer may suggest revisions based on the review. This recommendation is then considered by the editor, who makes the final decision on whether to ask for revisions or accept or reject the manuscript.

7. Accept The Criticism Positively: This is more relevant for authors rather than reviewers. Authors should approach peer review feedback constructively, using it to improve their work.

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10 Peer Review Sample

Good Peer Review Comments

Clarity and Comprehensiveness:

• “Your manuscript clearly articulates the research problem and provides a comprehensive review of the literature. This thorough background sets a solid foundation for your study.”
  

Methodology:

• “The methods section is detailed and well-structured, allowing for replicability of the study. However, considering the complexity of the data, it would be beneficial to include more information on the statistical analysis techniques used.”
  

Originality and Contribution:

• “The study focuses on a gap in the existing literature, offering new insights into [specific topic]. The innovative approach taken is commendable and adds value to the field.”
  

Results and Interpretation:

• “The results are presented clearly, but the discussion section could benefit from a deeper analysis of how these findings relate to the broader context of [specific field]. It would be helpful to compare your results with similar studies to highlight the significance of your work.”
  

Writing and Organization:

• “The paper is well-written and logically organized. However, there are some sections, particularly in the introduction, that could be made more concise to improve readability.”
  

Bad Peer review Examples

Vague or Non-Constructive Criticism:

• “This paper is poorly written.”

• “I don’t like the methodology.” These comments are not constructive because they don’t provide specific guidance on what exactly is wrong or how it can be improved.
  

Personal Attacks or Unprofessional Language:

• “The author clearly doesn’t understand the basics of this field.”

• “This is the worst paper I’ve ever read.” Comments that attack the author rather than addressing the content of the paper are unprofessional and unhelpful.
  

Bias or Subjectivity:

• “I don’t believe this topic is important.”

• “This doesn’t align with my views, so it shouldn’t be published.” Peer review should be objective and based on the quality of the research, not personal beliefs or interests.
  

Overemphasis on Minor Issues Than Major Issues:

• Focusing excessively on typos or formatting errors while ignoring the substantive content of the paper. While it’s important to note these issues, they should not be the sole focus of a review.
  

Lack of Specificity:

• “The analysis section needs work.”

• “The literature review is not good.” Without specific examples or suggestions, such comments are not actionable for the authors.
  

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Guide To Writing Scientific Manuscripts For Publication

Choose Your Journal

• Research Journals: Identify journals in your field that publish similar research.
• Target Audience: Consider the audience and the reach of the journal.
• Impact Factor: Higher impact factor journals are more prestigious but often more competitive.

Understand Journal Guidelines

• Author Instructions: Each journal has specific guidelines for manuscript preparation.
• Formatting: Adhere to policies on formatting, structure, word count, and reference style.

Structure Your Manuscript

Title

• Concise and descriptive.
• Avoid technical jargon.

Abstract

• A summary of the research.
• Include objectives, methods, results, and conclusions.

Introduction

• Contextualize the research.
• State the problem and your hypothesis.
• Review relevant literature.

Materials and Methods

• Describe your methodology in detail.
• Include information to allow replication.

Results

• Present findings with clarity.
• Use tables and figures effectively.

Discussion

• Interpret the results.
• Compare with existing literature.
• Discuss implications and limitations.

Conclusion

• Summarize key findings.
• Suggest future research directions.

References

• Cite all sources used.

Acknowledgments

• Recognize those who assisted.

Figures and Tables

• Clarity: Ensure they are easy to understand.
• Quality: High-resolution images.
• Labels: Clearly label all parts.

Writing Style

• Clarity: Be concise and clear.
• Objectivity: Maintain a neutral perspective.
• Consistency: Be consistent in terminology and style.

Ethical Considerations

• Authorship: Properly attribute authorship.
• Conflict of Interest: Disclose any potential conflicts.
• Plagiarism: Ensure originality and proper citation.

Peer Review Process

• Revisions: Be prepared for revisions.
• Feedback: Address reviewer comments thoroughly.

Submission

• Cover Letter: Include a letter that summarizes your work and its importance.
• Follow-up: Be patient, but follow up if necessary.

After Acceptance

• Proofreading: Check proofs for errors.
• Promotion: Share your work through various channels.

Stay Informed

• Trends: Keep up with the latest trends and formats in scientific writing and publication.

Additional Tips:

• Collaborate: Seek feedback from peers and colleagues.
• Practice: Improve writing skills through practice and reading other publications.
• Stay Updated: Keep updated on new developments in your field

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Conclusion

In conclusion, when asked to review for a journal, it is crucial to approach the task with the principles of “peer review” in mind. As a reviewer, your role is not just to critically assess the paper’s main arguments and methods used but also to provide constructive and keep your comments unbiased. This involves a thorough reading of the paper and understanding the author’s perspective.

A fair review should guide the authors on how to improve their version of the manuscript, ensuring that the published science is of the highest quality. It’s important to consider whether additional experiments or data are necessary to support the paper’s conclusions, and to assess whether the authors need to address any competing interests or ethical issues that may discredit their work.

Your review should be more than just a list of open-ended criticisms; it should provide clear and actionable advice. For instance, when commenting on the methods used, specify what exactly can be improved and how. If you believe the manuscript needs more detailed explanations of certain concepts, provide examples of what you mean (e.g., more in-depth analysis, clarification of terms, etc.).

Remember, a good review not only shows the editor that you have comprehensively read the paper, but it also helps the authors tackle the weaknesses in their manuscript. By following a structured guide for reviewers, such as addressing each heading and sub-section of the paper based on its merits (i.e., introduction, methods, results, discussion), you can offer critical feedback that is both fair and helpful.

The goal of peer review is to make sure that the authors answer questions raised by their peers in a way that enhances the manuscript, making it a more valuable contribution to the field of study. This process, though sometimes challenging, is essential for maintaining the integrity and quality of published science.

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