B – Statistical and scientific reviews of manuscripts

Henly SJ, Bennett JA, Dougherty MC. Scientific and statistical reviews of manuscripts submitted to Nursing Research: comparison of completeness, quality, and usefulness. Nursing Outlook 2010 Jul-Aug;58(4):188-199
(doi: 10.1016/j.outlook.2010.04.004)

The purpose of the study was to compare the content and quality of statistical and scientific reviews of manuscripts submitted to Nursing Research. Scientific reviews were rated as more comprehensive, but most did not evaluate statistical aspects. Statistical reviews were more likely to identify fatal flaws, were generally rated higher in overall usefulness to the editor in making a decision on whether to publish, and to authors for improving a manuscript. Both reviews are complementary.