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How to Respond to Reviewers

Updated: Nov 21

Responding to reviewers is an essential part of the journal publication process. As a matter of fact, it may make up the largest part of the publication process after submission. Academics who are new to publication may be surprised at how long it takes to go through the process of peer review. 

Professor Writes to Santa: Please Let My Manuscript Be Published With No Revisions

It may take up to a year or longer in many cases. There are many reasons for this. However, the main one is that peer review is a job that doesn’t pay! This makes it difficult to get peer reviewers to review scientific papers. Other reasons that make it difficult for journal editors to get peer reviewers are as follows:


  • Peer reviewers with the qualifications are few and hard to come by

  • Peer reviewers are busy with academic work 

  • The field of expertise may be too narrow to find appropriate reviewers

  • The demand for peer reviewers is too high 


After you submit your paper, it will either get an editor rejection or it will be passed on for peer review. The peer review process is often lengthy. The journal editor has to locate appropriate peer reviewers, and they have to wait for these peer reviewers to judge the merit of your manuscript.


Judging a paper typically involves a long and often tedious process of reading the critiques of your study, which you have to respond to quite carefully and thoroughly. In addition to responding, you may also have to make significant changes to your paper based on the reviewers' recommendations.


What is a peer reviewer?


Peer reviewers are academic professionals with a background and qualifications in a specific field of research. Ideally, only scholars who are highly qualified would get the chance to review your paper. The review involves the following:


  • Judging the validity of your results

  • Judging the integrity of your scientific process

  • Judging the thoroughness of your literature review

  • Judging the strength of your arguments

  • Judging the novelty and value of your research

  • Judging the importance of your results


A good review would include include commentary or questions that should be properly answered.  You may also have to revise your manuscript according to the recommendations or criticisms of the reviewer. 


Tips to follow when responding to reviewers


Answering reviewers requires a certain level of diplomatic skill. Many reviewers may be harsh in their criticism, but your responses should always be polite and measured. Here are some tips to follow:


  1. Decide beforehand on the corresponding author. The corresponding author is in charge of all communication to the journal editor. While the corresponding author is in charge of officially responding to the peer reviewers, they should make sure that all authors agree with the responses and changes made to the journal paper.

  2. Always be polite in your response. For example, begin sentences with phrases such as “Thank you for your suggestions” or “Thank you for pointing out this issue.” 

  3. Make sure you fully answer each comment in accurate detail. Manuscripts are often numbered by line. When answering, ensure that you make references to line numbers to avoid confusion.

  4. Think of using a table format. Include the reviewer's comment in one column and your response in the other.

  5. Make revisions using the Track function in Word. This ensures that the journal editor and reviewers can follow the changes that you make to the manuscript


After one or several other rounds of criticism and revision, your paper will be either accepted or rejected. It all depends on whether or not the reviewer and eventually the editor believe that you have satisfactorily passed the scrutiny of peer review.

 

Contact us today for help in editing and proofreading your journal paper



 

How EminentEdit helps in responding to reviewers


EminentEdit provides premium academic editing services to ensure that your journal is given the best possible chance to get published. We first begin with a clear communication process to ensure that we are on the same page. Take a look at our editing SOP below.

 

 

Our services don't just start with proofreading the final manuscript or document. It also includes helping you choose the appropriate journal and writing both letters to the journal and editor and responses to reviewers. 


Peer review and response to the reviewers can be one of the most challenging aspects of reviewing a paper. It involves:


  • Responding with politeness even if you think reviewers are unfair

  • Repeating yourself to more than one reviewer

  • Defending your position or views in the face of objections


Our small team of editors have extensive experience as both peer reviewers and as academics who have published several papers. Our editing and proofreading services include:  


  • Proofreading and editing according to reviewer feedback 

  • Help in answering peer reviewers

  • Help in editing and proofreading responses to peer reviewers

  • Help with editing according to academic style guides such as APA, MLA, etc.

  • Help with editing AI-generated content


We would be happy to help you go through all the stages of getting your journal paper published. For assistance, get in touch through our contact page here: CONTACT US AT EMINENT EDIT. 

 

Cite this EminentEdit article

Antoine, M. (2024, November 11). How to Respond to Reviewers. https://www.eminentediting.com/post/how-to-respond-to-reviewers



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