Research Paper: Referee Report

Purpose:

• To practice generating constructive criticism for imperfect work
• To link what we’ve learned in class to an original analysis
• To generate useful feedback for your peers

Key Elements

1. Summary of the paper – to convey to the editor that you understand the paper.

2. Major comments

• Big-picture things that the author could make to improve the paper
• 2-4 major comments is sufficient
• Not enough to criticize!

3. Minor comments:

• Clarifying questions, areas that are unclear
• Small changes the author could make to improve the paper – add an additional covariate, try adjusting the specification, etc.
• Depending on paper, you could have just a few, or you could have a lot
• Don’t copy edit the paper!

What should this look like?

• All the components above
  • At least 2 major comments (substantial suggestions)
  • At least 3 minor comments (minor suggestions)
• Will probably be 1-2 pages
  • 3 pages = overkill, < 1 page, dig in deeper!
• Written in collegial tone

Submission

• Upload on BB
• And send directly to your partner

Note that I’m assigning referee partners at an individual level, not at a paper level. If you are working with a partner, each of you will complete a referee report, and your paper will receive two reviews.