Be an All-Star Reviewer!
by Charles E. Kahn, Jr, MD, MS
Editor, Radiology: Artificial Intelligence
A journal’s reviewers play a critical role in assuring that high-quality original research is recognized and published. My recent webinar – “Be an All-Star Manuscript Reviewer” – sought to provide some guidance to those who are interested in reviewing manuscripts, particularly for Radiology: Artificial Intelligence.
A few key points for all reviewers to remember:
- Be timely.
Act quickly when you receive an invitation to review. If you wait several days before deciding that you just don’t have time, those are days that have gone by without the journal being able to seek another reviewer. Honor the time allotted for your review – the editors and the authors are counting on you!
- Reviewing is a privilege.
You get a “sneak peek” about scientific advances months before others will see them published in a journal! Respect the authors’ intellectual efforts and maintain the confidentiality of their manuscript.
- Obey the Golden Rule.
Treat others as you would have them treat you. Be constructive in your comments – seek to make the manuscript better. Offer honest, useful criticism that will improve the work.
- Reviewing has rewards.
Want to be recognized for your efforts, and perhaps even be named to an Editorial Board? Reviewers who consistently produce high-quality, thoughtful reviews are the ones invited to become associate editors. We recognize our journal’s best reviewers each year – and will help them make sure their department chair and/or dean knows about their contributions to their professional community.
Charles E. Kahn, Jr, MD, MS is professor and vice chair of radiology at the University of Pennsylvania, and editor of
Radiology: Artificial Intelligence.
Follow him on Twitter:
@cekahn,
@Radiology_AI