Peer review

Peer review is widely considered one of the key features of quality journals, and surveys have revealed that many researchers feel the peer review process provides insightful comments and helps improve their manuscript (Publons Global State of Peer Review 2018, Editage Author Perspectives On Academic Publishing: Global Survey Report 2018).

Before you submit, see whether the journal has a statement or description of its peer review process that details the submission and peer review process and statements of the ethical responsibilities of editors and reviewers.

The most common forms of peer review involve keeping the identities of reviewers and/or authors anonymous, but increasingly journals are becoming more transparent with different forms of open peer review. Open peer review aims to improve the reviewing process through a more collaborative approach and opens up the academic discussion between author and reviewer, making reviewers’ work visible and giving them proper credit for their work.

The type of peer review employed by the target journal may affect how you format your paper submission and what you might expect during the peer review process. To learn more about peer review, guidelines for reviewers and editors visit the EASE Peer Review Toolkit. This will help you to understand what the editors and reviewers are considering when reviewing your manuscript.