Reviewer Overview

Reviewing is an essential part before submitting the scientific research journals. It requires investment of time and a certain skill set. It is important for you to know everything about the peer review process before accepting a review request. You must have enough skills and you should know how to conduct a review. 

What do reviewers do?

Before submissions, reviewers must evaluate papers and publications based on the requirements. The reviewer looks to see if the article follows the following rules:

• • Predefined criteria
  • Quality
  • Completeness 
  • Accuracy of the research 

They provide detailed and insightful feedback on the paper. They also assist with adjustments and provide appropriate recommendations. They also provide a full analysis of why the item was accepted, rejected, or required modifications. The reviewers have a substantial impact on the final result. Whereas the editor is the one who makes the ultimate choice, the editor is the one who makes the final decision.

Importance of Reviewing 

It is, however, a time-consuming process with numerous advantages. The editor’s job is done once the piece is delivered, but reviewers must go over the entire document and make any necessary adjustments. Understanding the article’s primary ideas and purpose is more significant than simply reading it.

Reviewers:

• ensure the rigorous standards of the scientific process by taking part in the peer-review system.

• uphold the integrity of the journal by identifying invalid research, and helping to maintain the quality of the journal.
• fulfill a sense of obligation to the community and their own area of research.
• establish relationships with reputable colleagues and their affiliated journals, and increase their opportunities to join an Editorial Board.
• can help prevent ethical breaches by identifying plagiarism, research fraud, and other problems by dint of their familiarity with the subject area.
• reciprocate professional courtesy, as authors and reviewers are often interchangeable roles – as reviewer, researchers “repay” the same consideration they receive as authors.

Conducting a review

Conducting a review is more difficult than it appears. It is critical to first comprehend the motivation. If the manuscript you’re reading contains an experiment, start with the procedures section. It is equally crucial to comprehend the topic of the article/manuscript.

The following cases are considered major flaws and should be changed – 

• Unsound methodology
• Discredited method
• Missing processes are known to be influential on the area of reported research
• A conclusion drawn in contradiction to the statistical or qualitative evidence reported in the manuscript

The methodology can assist you in examining the sample report, which is required in time-dependent investigations, in a precise and proper manner. Always present a methodical data analysis as well as enough descriptive pieces with pertinent quotes. Quotes from interviewees can be added in addition to the author’s narrative for better qualitative research.

Research data and visualizations

Examine any data in the form of figures, tables, or photographs once you’re sure that the technique is sound. Authors can include research data, such as data visualizations, in their submissions to allow readers to interact and engage more intimately with their work once it has been published. As a result, please be aware that connections to data may be present in the submission files. During the peer-review process, you should also pay attention to these items. 

In relation to our database linkage scheme, manuscripts may additionally contain database identifiers or accession numbers (e.g. genes). No such concerns should arise; instead, be prepared ahead of time and ignore anything that could cause a conflict. Critical issues in research data, which are considered to be major flaws can be related to insufficient data points, statistically non-significant variations and unclear data tables.

Ethical considerations

Experiments including patient or animal data should properly be documented. Most journals require ethical approval by the author’s host organization. Please check journal-specific guidelines for such cases (available from the journal’s homepage).

Overview

Give yourself a break and don’t let any stress affect the review process. If you don’t spot any major flaws, take a break from the manuscript and try to focus on the same later. You might be surprised to see you’re your overview will change when you are in fresh mind. Consider the article from your own perspective. When you sit down to write the review, again make sure you familiarize yourself with any journal-specific guidelines.