Internal Peer Review: Preventing Pitfalls and Elevating Your Manuscript
The outcome of a scientific manuscript depends on the critical process of its peer review. This process evaluates the manuscript using several important parameters, ensuring it meets the required standards of clarity, accuracy, and scientific rigor. Based on this evaluation, the editor or the writer received recommendations for improvements. In a scientific journal, reviewers are selected by the editors of the journal after consideration of several factors While peer review in academic journals is a well-established practice, internal reviews within organizations are equally important. A structured review process ensures that all essential elements of a manuscript are evaluated systematically, enhancing the quality of the content [2].
Reviewers, whether within an organization or for a journal, must assess manuscripts based on their expertise in the subject matter, as determined by their qualifications, training, and experience. In journal peer review, editors consider additional factors such as reviewers past contributions and willingness to participate in the review process [2]. In an industry setting, internal reviewers play a crucial role in maintaining consistency, adhering to company guidelines, and ensuring that scientific communication is clear and effective. Thus, as soon as a reviewer—whether internal or external—receives an invitation for review, their job begins. They must decide whether to accept the invitation based on the information provided to them, which is the title of the manuscript and the abstract. It is advised that the reviewer make a prompt decision to avoid unnecessary delays allowing other reviewers to be approached if necessary [1, 2]
Journals and publishers are seen as the gatekeepers of academic information, as they decide what information will reach the world, and reviewers play a significant role in this. However, in the scientific and medical communication industry, organizations are equally responsible for maintaining the integrity and quality of the documents they produce, such as regulatory submissions, clinical study reports, and medical writing content [4]. Whether in academia or industry, reviewers must understand the expectations and requirements of the review process, considering both the research subject and the document type. Therefore, using a peer review checklist is strongly recommended to ensure that no critical steps are missed in the process, as such a checklist will help the reviewer evaluate each part of the paper according to its strength [3].
The peer review process is a critical mechanism for maintaining the integrity and quality of scientific research. Reviewers play a key role in evaluating manuscripts based on established parameters, ensuring that only high-quality research reaches the scientific community. Having a review mechanism is thus vital, as it provides an additional layer of scrutiny to ensure accuracy, consistency, and adherence to guidelines before submission. Internal reviews help produce error-free documents by identifying issues early, reducing the need for extensive revisions later. Moreover, they prevent redundant comments on aspects like style, flow, and formatting, allowing reviewers to focus on substantive scientific content. By adhering to a structured review process and utilizing checklists, reviewers can provide thorough and objective assessments, ultimately contributing to the advancement of scientific knowledge.
References
- Step-by-step guide to reviewing a manuscript. Wiley Author Services. Published 2024. Accessed March 12, 2025. https://authorservices.wiley.com/Reviewers/journal-reviewers/how-to-perform-a-peer-review/step-by-step-guide-to-reviewing-a-manuscript.html.
- Vishwanathan K, Kambhampati SBS, Maini L. Reviewer’s Checklists for Evaluating Scientific Manuscripts. Indian J Orthop. 2022 Jan 25;56(2):175-182.
- Taylor & Francis. Review checklist. Taylor & Francis Editor Resources. Published 2024. Accessed March 12, 2025. https://editorresources.taylorandfrancis.com/reviewer-guidelines/review-checklist/.
- Integra. 10-point manuscript checklist for high-quality journal submissions. Integra Blog. Published 2024. Accessed March 12, 2025. https://integranxt.com/blog/10-point-manuscript-checklist-for-high-quality-journal-submissions/.
Authors:
Sweaksha Langoo (MSc. Molecular Biology and Biochemistry)
Scientific Writer – Enago Life Sciences
Connect with Sweaksha on LinkedIn
Function Head, Medical Communications – Enago Life Sciences
Connect with Raghuraj on LinkedIn