The first review invitation usually arrives when you feel unqualified to accept it. Accept it anyway, provided the topic is genuinely within your competence — it will take three or four hours rather than one, and it is the best training in writing papers that exists.
Before accepting
- Read the abstract and confirm the topic is in your area.
- Check the deadline against your actual schedule.
- Declare any connection with the authors if you can identify them.
- Decline if you cannot do it properly by the deadline.
How to read it
- First pass: read straight through, no notes, form an overall impression.
- Second pass: check methods carefully against the claims.
- Third pass: note specific points with page and line numbers.
The central question
- Do the conclusions follow from the data presented.
- Everything else is secondary to this.
- Style and phrasing are the least important part of your report.
Answer the journal's questions
- Most journals provide a structured form; use it fully.
- Your recommendation goes to the editor, not the authors.
- Keep confidential comments and author comments consistent.
Ask for help
- You may ask your supervisor to co-review, with the editor's knowledge.
- Doing so undeclared breaches confidentiality.
- Many editors welcome co-review when it is declared.
One thing worth remembering
Focus on whether the conclusions follow from the data.
New reviewers spend most of their effort on wording and formatting, which the journal will fix anyway — the one thing only a reviewer can assess is whether the evidence presented actually supports what the paper claims.
Câu hỏi thường gặp
Should you accept a first review invitation?
Yes if the topic is genuinely within your competence — it takes three or four hours and is the best training in writing papers that exists.
What should you check before accepting?
That the topic is in your area, that the deadline fits your schedule, and any connection with the authors — decline if you cannot do it properly.
How should you read the manuscript?
First pass straight through with no notes, second pass checking methods against claims, third pass noting specific points with page and line numbers.
What is the central question?
Whether the conclusions follow from the data presented — everything else is secondary, and style is the least important part.
Can you ask your supervisor for help?
You may co-review with the editor's knowledge — doing so undeclared breaches confidentiality, but many editors welcome declared co-review.
