Are you interested in becoming a reviewer or wondering how to be a better peer reviewer? Michael Stewart, MD, MPH, editor-in-chief of The Laryngoscope, and Mark Courey, MD, associate editor, offered tips in a session held during the Triological Society Combined Sections Meeting:
- Assess the paper in context with other published literature. Even if a paper is rigorous and done with sound methodology, it should not be published if it adds nothing new to the literature.
- Consider whether revisions are possible or practical.
- Determine whether the conclusions are supported by the data.
- Assess the statistics and methodology, but ask for help from a statistician if needed.
- Don’t be afraid to reject a submission right away, Dr. Stewart said. “If you think the authors have to re-do their data analysis or if they need more data, in my mind, that’s an automatic rejection.”
- Look for a power analysis and be suspect of underpowered studies.
- “Negative” studies—with no difference between groups—can be important to publish.
- Don’t say yes and then not complete your review. If you will not be able to complete the review, please say no initially.
- Finish your review on time.
- Be fair—and not harsh or sarcastic.
- Don’t violate the confidentiality of peer review.