Everyone believes in what they have written. However, even the top authors who write incredibly must produce several drafts before they approve their final piece of writing. The same approach applies to students. Have you ever questioned what to do when asked to peer review a paper? Well, don’t worry. In this piece, we will highlight peer review tips that will make your work easier and enjoyable at the same time and how to write a good peer review. Keep reading.
What is a benefit of peer review
Writing a peer review help students in different ways. However, the one major benefit of writing a peer review is that it helps students learn to express their views on a given subject and clarify the information after the analysis. In the process, writers enrich their writing skills, which are crucial when writing other academic papers.
How to write peer review: a step-by-step guide
When tasked with a peer review task and wondering how to peer review a paper, follow the steps below for effectiveness:
- Read the whole manuscript
Before you start reviewing the research, you need to read and understand its context to give you a clear route to start assessing the paper. Reading the manuscript for the first time will give you a first impression of the write-up giving you a basis of where the strengths and weaknesses of the research are.
- Read again while taking notes
Read the manuscript for the second time to get into details. While reading for the second time, highlight some relevant questions related to the topic as you highlight some short notes.
- Write honest reviews
For a peer review, there must be comments. Therefore, start your reviews with a summary of your honest impression of the whole research.
The feedback should include both positive and negative aspects of the research paper. In your review, highlight what the author should do to make the paper better. In all the flaws you present, make sure you include a solution. Finally, finish the review by offering suggestions or remarks.
- Make a recommendation
Finally, this is the last step of writing a sample peer review of research paper. Make the final recommendation of either you agreeing, rejecting, revising, or transferring. Your final recommendation should align with your review.
Tips for peer review
Now that you have an understanding of a peer review paper and how to write a peer review examples, the following tips will help you write an incredible peer review:
- Evaluate a peer review example
One of the proven tips that you will never go wrong with when writing a peer review is checking a similar assignment. Of course, many other people have written similar assignments and produced high-quality papers. The examples will help you understand the dimensions your paper should take.
- Use a detailed outline
Before you start your peer review paper, make sure you create a roadmap of the details you intend to include in your paper. The outline should include possible questions you anticipate answering after reading through the research, especially after the second reading.
- Keep the focus on the paper’s context
While reviewing the research, avoid including ideas that are out of context in relation to the topic/ subject you are reviewing. The ideas you share should align with what the writer has included in the research.
- Take time before you give reviews and recommendations
You will need and weigh different options before you review and give your final recommendations. Do not simply judge the research by reading it once. Take time, do an inner analysis, and create honest opinions on the subject.
Conclusion
Writing a peer review is among the interesting assignments that give students an opportunity to explore and learn more about writing. Should you get such a task, simply use the above tips for admirable results.
