Peer review is the process by which work is closely scrutinized for the purposes of publication. While its merits and its approaches (double blind versus open) are being debated, if you pursue an academic career, pre-publication selection will be a part of the process for some time to come. Even if you pursue a career outside of academia, you will likely be expected to provide feedback on other people’s work. Thus, regardless of the setting, you are expected to be respectful, thorough, and constructive in your feedback.
Writing a peer review is made trickier at times because you may not have received much guidance on it and each journal’s specifications may be different. However, there are some overarching approaches and expectations to meet when conducting a peer review. In this workshop, you will receive an overview of the process and hands-on practice with providing feedback.
This workshop will be particularly valuable for graduate students and early career researchers conducting peer reviews or submitting journal articles for publication for the first time. The approach to peer review you will learn may also help you get your own manuscript ready for submission.
Learning goals:
- Synthesize criticism of a manuscript you’re reviewing
- Tactfully communicate your feedback in a way that will help improve the manuscript
Materials for students to bring:
It’s not necessary for you to bring any writing with you as sample content for the writing activity will be distributed at the workshop. However, if you are currently in the process of writing a peer review, you are welcome to bring it with you if you have questions or wish to use it in the writing exercise (note: if you bring your own review, please be sure to maintain the confidentiality of the author whose work you are reviewing).
Dr. Kristen Lowitt, a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Natural Resource Sciences, will lead the workshop.
The workshop will be held on McGill's downtown campus on Tuesday, February 21, 10am-12pm. Registrants will receive the workshop location in a confirmation email.
This form takes about 2 minutes to complete. You must click submit on the third page of this form to complete your registration.
