From researching to reviewing: An introductory guide for those taking their first steps in peer review
Guest post by Summer Tredgett
This post originally appeared on Sage Perspectives blog here.
Tips for getting started in peer review, including how to volunteer and become more findable as a reviewer.
It’s no secret that many journals are facing shortages of experts who are willing to review new submissions, leading to longer peer review turnaround times and a greater burden on existing reviewer pools. Both early career and more experienced researchers alike can play an important part in peer review, but it can be challenging to know where to start.
If you’re interested in becoming a peer reviewer within your field, read on for practical tips on identifying suitable journals, taking the first steps in peer review and increasing your visibility to editors.
Identifying journals you’d like to review for
The first step in becoming a peer reviewer is finding a journal that aligns with your area of expertise. You can browse Sage’s list of journals here.
As an active researcher within your field, it’s likely that you’re already engaging with relevant literature and have a sense of which journals could be a good fit. It’s also worth considering articles that you’ve recently cited yourself as these are likely to be published in journals aligned with your research interests.
Once you have a journal (or journals!) in mind, the journal description, including the aims and scope, provided on the journal website can be helpful in confirming if it will be a good fit.
You’ve found a journal, what next?
There are several steps you can take to get started in peer reviewing:
Create an account with the journal
Creating a reviewer account on the journal’s Sage Track (ScholarOne) site will add you to the journal’s reviewer database. When creating your account, make sure to opt into being invited for peer review on submissions relevant to your interests and experience.
Reach out to the journal editor or editorial office directly
This is a great way to register your interest and introduce yourself to the journal, which could increase your chances of being invited to review. It’s also a good opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the journal and confirm that it’s aligned with your area of expertise.
Look on the journal’s Submission Guidelines page to find the Editorial Office’s contact details. When expressing your interest, it’s also important to provide a summary of your experience and share a copy of your CV.
Volunteer via the Web of Science (WoS) Reviewer Recognition service
By signing up to the WoS Reviewer Recognition Program, editors will be able to find you in the journal’s Reviewer Locator and invite you to review.
Once you’ve submitted and claimed a review for a Sage journal, you’ll receive recognition via WoS and be listed as a reviewer for that journal.
More information on reviewer recognition and additional reviewer benefits offered by Sage can be found here.
Co-reviewing
Co-reviewing with a mentor can be an opportunity to dip your toes into peer review and gain both experience and confidence on live submissions before taking on reviews independently.
Many journals offer this option to early career researchers, so it’s worth discussing this approach with the journal editor if you’re interested.
Keep your account details and keywords up to date
Maintaining an updated account with accurate keywords is an important step for increasing visibility to editors, as they’ll use this information to match you with submissions within your area of expertise.
If you’re unsure of how to update your account keywords, the journal’s Editorial Office can support with this.
To find out more about becoming a reviewer with Sage, including guidance on how to review articles, key considerations and making recommendations, visit our Information for Reviewers page, here.