Peer review, an integral part of scientific publishing, ensures the validity, reliability, and quality of academic papers, and plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity and trustworthiness of scholarly publications, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in all disciplines. Navigating the complexities of the peer review process can prove to be a daunting task.
LSA is committed to reinforcing the significance of this rigorous process, and its Ethics Committee is organizing a symposium on “the ethics of peer review in linguistics” during the 2024 LSA Annual Meeting, which will take place in person in New York City from 4-7 January 2024. In addition, the Ethics Committee is organizing three webinars on February 8, 14, and 21, 2024. The webinar series is a new initiative to provide LSA members and linguists with professional development opportunities. These three webinars on ethics and peer review aim to enhance participants’ understanding of the peer review process and provide practical guidance on conducting and handling peer review.
An introduction to peer review
Thursday, 8 Feb 2024 at 2-3 PM ET
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The first webinar will be an introduction to peer review, addressing the types and processes involved. This webinar will provide participants with a comprehensive overview of peer review, including its history, different types, benefits, and process.
- Chair: Jeff Good (University at Buffalo)
- Speakers:
- Alireza Salehi-Nejad (University of Tehran): Introduction to peer review, its history and typology
- Alexandra D’Arcy (University of Victoria): Peer review: purpose, significance, and responsibilities
- John Beavers (University of Texas at Austin): The peer review process
By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to:
- Explain the history and importance of peer review.
- Identify the different types of peer review and explain the advantages and disadvantages of each.
- Articulate the benefits of reviewing manuscripts for themselves and for the scholarly community as a whole.
- Describe the peer review process and identify the key roles and responsibilities of authors, editors, and reviewers.
What a reviewer needs to know about peer review
Wednesday, 14 Feb 2024 at 2-3 PM ET
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The second webinar is designated for potential reviewers to provide participants with the knowledge and skills they need to be effective peer reviewers and to prepare their own manuscripts for publication. Participants will learn how to review manuscripts effectively and provide constructive feedback to authors. In addition, ethics is a central part of peer review. Peer reviewers ought to be fair, objective, and unbiased in their reviews and protect the confidentiality of the manuscripts they review. This webinar will also cover the ethical considerations of peer review, such as conflict of interest and confidentiality and how reviewers detect research misconduct.
- Chair: John Beavers (University of Texas at Austin)
- Speakers:
- Alireza Salehi-Nejad (University of Tehran): Why and how to review a manuscript
- Kai von Fintel (Massachusetts Institute of Technology): How reviewers should provide constructive criticism and meaningful feedback to authors and editors
- Colleen Fitzgerald (North Dakota State University): Ethics in peer review and how to become a reviewer
By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to:
- Apply the principles of effective peer review to manuscripts in their own field.
- Provide constructive feedback to authors that is specific, actionable, and respectful.
- Identify potential instances of research misconduct in manuscripts.
- Understand what editors and reviewers look for in manuscripts.
What authors need to know about peer review
Wednesday, 21 Feb 2024 at 2-3 PM ET
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In the third webinar, participants will gain essential insights into the initial steps required when faced with reviewer feedback, acquiring the necessary skills to craft a response letter that strikes the appropriate tone and employs professional and persuasive language. Furthermore, this webinar seeks to cultivate a deeper understanding of the editorial and reviewer perspectives, allowing participants to identify any shortcomings or errors in their manuscripts before submission. Ultimately, this webinar serves as a platform for enlightening participants on editors’ true aspirations and expectations, thus enabling a balanced playing field and facilitating successful publication.
- Chair: Claire Bowern (Yale University)
- Speakers:
- Elaine J Francis (Purdue University): Revising your manuscript and crafting an effective response letter
- Kai von Fintel (Massachusetts Institute of Technology): The true aspirations and expectations of editors
- Joe Salmons (University of Wisconsin – Madison): Common reasons for rejection
By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to:
- Effectively manage reviewer comments in order to improve their manuscripts and increase their chances of publication.
- Gain a deeper understanding of the editorial and reviewer perspectives to anticipate better and address potential concerns.
- Identify and address shortcomings or errors in their manuscripts before submission.
- Develop an understanding of editors’ true aspirations and expectations to navigate the peer review process successfully.
Overall, in addition to learning about peer review in general, participants will also have the opportunity to see their own manuscripts through the eyes of an editor and reviewer, which will help them to identify any potential shortfalls or mistakes before submitting their manuscript for publication.
These webinars are ideal for researchers of all levels who want to learn more about peer review and how to participate in this crucial process.