Peer Review for Academic Journals: What It Is, and How to Do It Well

The peer review process is a critical part of scientific research and publishing. In serving as reviewers, qualified scholars are tasked with the responsibility of evaluating the merits of scientific work, providing substantive feedback to their colleagues, and assisting journal editors in making editorial decisions. While many social work researchers regularly serve as peer reviewers for journals, there are very few opportunities to receive formal training in the practice of providing high-quality, professional reviews of scientific manuscripts. This workshop includes a panel comprised of the Editor-In-Chief of Research on Social Work Practice and three editorial board members that have extensive experience as reviewers. The panelists will discuss the basics of peer review and provide guidance on the essential elements for providing a helpful, high-quality review. Throughout the workshop, panelists will reference their own experiences as reviewers and as active participants in the peer review process.

Panelists will address a number of topics questions, including:

1. Understanding the basics of peer review. Panelists will provide a brief overview of the peer review process and its importance in scientific research. This will include a discussion of the types of peer review (e.g., single-blind, double-blind, open) and the ways in which the work of peer reviewers relates to editorial decisions and the advancement of science.

2. Professionalism and ethics in peer review. Panel members will discuss the importance of communicating feedback to authors in ways that is clear, respectful, and intended to improve the quality of research. Additionally, panelists will discuss the importance of ethical decision-making related to reviewing the work of close colleagues and competitors.

3. The logistics of reviewing. The panelists will discuss a number of pressing logistical questions, including: When to say "no" to an invitation to review? What to focus on in reviewing scientific manuscripts? How many comments to include in a peer review? How long to spend in reviewing a manuscript?

4. Honing your skills as a reviewer. Panelists will discuss ways that early career researchers—and scientists at all career stages—can improve their ability to provide reviews that are helpful to their peers and to editors, and that advance the quality of social work research.

5. The benefits of serving as a reviewer. Panel members will discuss the many benefits of serving as a peer reviewer, including benefits for the field of social work as a whole and benefits in terms of professional development and scientific learning. Specific attention will be paid to the ways in which reviewing manuscripts can help reviewers to improve the quality of their own scientific writing and work.

During this workshop, the panelists will address each of the aforementioned points with a brief presentation that includes hands-on examples from their own professional experience. After concluding the formal presentation, the panelists will open the workshop for questions and a discussion between the panelists and attendees.