if you aren’t part of the journal review time solution, you’re part of the problem

One of the most frustrating aspects of social science reviewing is the slow review time. Gabriel Rossman says that we are the problem. Rather than focus on what can be easily fixed or provide up or down decisions, reviewers take too long, offer contradictory recommendations, and encourage bloated papers. If I were to summarize Gabriel’s post, I’d say that:

1. Keep your review short. Don’t write that 6 page single space commentary. One page or so probably enough in most cases
2. Don’t whine about what the authors should have written about. Evaluate what they actually wrote about.
3. Be decisive. Yes or no.
4. Don’t ask for endless citations, commentaries, extra analyses, etc.
5. All suggestions should be constructive, not busy work.
6. Let it go: after a while, it becomes counter productive. If you hate, just say so. If you like it, just say so. No more revisions. It’s done.

I also like Gabriel’s suggestion that reviewers should show some spine. In the summer, I was asked to review a 3rd R&R. My entire response was “Dude, seriously? Three R&R’s? Just accept it.” Result: paper accepted.

The True Word: From Black Power/Grad Skool Rulz