Gain Insight into Journal Editorial Processes
Understand the criteria editors use when selecting reviewers and the integral role reviewers play in shaping quality research publications.
Build Practical Skills in
Peer Review
Develop essential reviewing skills and learn to provide constructive feedback that aligns with ethical guidelines and enhances the quality of research papers.
Learn Peer Review Trends and Challenges
Learn about current trends and ethical considerations in peer review, equipping you to manage conflicts and challenges effectively.
About the Course
A natural progression for experienced researchers is to become a peer reviewer for others in their field.
In this course, you will discover what it takes to become a peer reviewer and a reviewer’s key responsibilities both toward authors and the editor. Learn about the role journal editors play in the peer review process, what they are looking for when they select peer reviewers, and how they manage and deal with conflicts within the process. You’ll also learn more about the reviewing experience and the key trends and developments affecting in peer review today.
This course has 9 modules, each consisting of an educational video, a module-specific multiple-choice question to check your understanding, and additional resources on the topic. By the end of this course, you’ll earn a Certificate of Completion as proof of your newly acquired skills to advance your career.
Who is this for?
Our students leverage this course for their careers as peer reviewers in different research journals.
Early Career Researcher
Build core skills to help you get started as a peer reviewer and advance your research career.
Established Researchers
Enhance your scientific judgement and improve the efficiency of your reports as a peer reviewer.
Enroll and Start Learning
Course Outline
After completing this module, you’ll be able to:
- List four reasons for becoming a peer reviewer.
- Outline three main strategies to develop your skills as a reviewer.
After completing this module, you’ll be able to:
- List characteristics of peer review.
- Outline the limits of expertise and impartiality.
- List reasons why the reviewer has a consultative, rather than decisive, role in peer review.
After completing this module, you’ll be able to:
- Outline two trends that are affecting peer review today.
- Describe peer review trends across three broad disciplinary areas.
- List two further developments affecting the current peer review context.
After completing this module, you’ll be able to:
- List three approaches to anonymity in open peer-review.
- Describe "collaborative peer-review" and "article commenting".
- Outline four factors related to revealing the identity of peer-reviewers.
- List four issues connected with publishing review reports.
After completing this module, you’ll be able to:
- List eight attributes that make a person suitable as a peer reviewer.
- List five responsibilities of the reviewer in peer review.
After completing this module, you’ll be able to:
- List roles of the editor in relation to peer review
After completing this module, you’ll be able to:
- Describe 4 practices for writing a review report.
- List 7 considerations for giving feedback.
- Outline how plagiarism software supports the review process.
- Outline how to use the "for the editor only" field.
- List unethical practices to avoid.
After completing this module, you’ll be able to:
- Outline how the editor deals with opposing review reports.
- Outline how the editor manages and resolves conflicts between authors and reviewers.
Hear What Our Learners Say
"The pace was perfect, allowing your primary ideas to stand out without sounding rushed. It was presented in a straightforward and structured manner. A good video on how to become a reviewer."
"I came onto this module with the aim of preparing myself to do peer reviews as a post-doc. Happy to find my expectations challenged and now encouraged to speak to my supervisor about reviewing opportunities while I'm still working on my PhD."
"It's indeed enlightening for me as I did not have this knowledge before"
"Really interesting - great ways to get involved in peer review!"
"The session is very insightful and relevant. Thank you so much."
"Quite informative and insightful. The process is becoming clearer."
Frequently Asked Questions
The course is free to everyone.
The course includes video lessons, text-based learning, supplemental readings, quizzes, and a final exam. You can view the course content at any time and can work at your own pace.
The course takes around 2.5 hours from start to certification.
There is no homework and no assignments with the course. You will be evaluated through the final exam. However, we recommend that all students read all supplemental material provided in the course.
This course is designed for researchers at all levels of career and who want to gain a comprehensive understanding of the peer review process in research journals. Many of our students use this training to step up and advance their scienctific judjement and profile.
To earn your certificate, you need to pass the final exam with a score of 70% or higher. You’ll take a multiple choice exam. The exam is delivered online and takes around 40 minutes to complete. If you fail the exam, you can study further and retake as many times as you need to pass.
No, the course is delivered online and can be completed at your own pace.
You have guaranteed access to the course materials and its future updates for as long as you have a profile at the Wiley Researcher Academy. This course is free.
You may download the supplemental resources for the course. All other content is only available within the learning platform.
The course is designed for researchers familiar with peer review. You don't need to have published any papers before, however understanding fundamentals of the research publication is required.
Successful graduates will receive a digital certificate. Your certificate can be posted on LinkedIn as a certification or qualification.