Download and read the paper when you receive your assignment email. To download the paper, either click on the link in the email or log in at http://My.InformingScience.org and click on the name of the paper from your dashboard (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Click the paper's name to move to its review page

Once you are on the paper’s review page, click on Read Article to read the paper (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Click on Read Article to download a copy. 
Your browser may open the paper in a browser window if you have it so configured

As you read the paper, compose your thoughts about its strengths, issues, and ways you can suggest for the author to improve the next draft. Then use the online evaluation form to provide your constructive comments, suggestions, and other feedback. 

  • Use Line Numbers in your review. We can accept feedback only via the online review form (not as files with track changes) so use the line numbers in your comments to point out where you see areas for improvement. 
  • Your role is to mentor, guide, and coach, not to referee. So, instead of just pointing out what is wrong, share your ideas on how to improve the paper as constructive criticism. 
  • Use constructive phrasing. Words can hurt, so take care how you phrase your suggestions to your colleagues. Instead of wording a critique as “You should,” word it as “The paper would be made stronger by.” 
  • Spend the time needed. To do a credible job, expect to spend two hours reading the paper and composing your ideas on how the authors can improve it. Engage fully with the submission – be thorough and comprehensive. 
  • Write your comments and suggestions for the author into a document. Later you will cut and paste your thoughts into the online evaluation form. The final part of the review is to indicate to the Editor your recommendations on the publication of this draft of the submission.
  • Need more time? If you need a few extra days to complete your review, let the paper’s Editor know right away, either by email or by using the Note feature. The Editor will know to await your review.
  • Reviewing as a non-expert. You may have been selected to review a paper precisely because the paper is outside your specialization. Our journals are read by colleagues from various fields and so, to ensure that papers are understandable by all readers, we need (and assign) non-specialists as reviewers. Indeed, if you as a non-expert have difficulties understanding what the paper is about, report that in your feedback as an area to be fixed. The Editor-in-Chief considers many criteria when assigning reviewers to papers.