Reviewer FAQs

This page contains answers to frequently asked questions about CES4Health.info. We've tried to anticipate all of your questions. If we've missed yours, please email your question to us at info@CES4Health.info.

1. Is reviewing a product for CES4Health.info different than reviewing a manuscript for a journal?

The editorial and peer review processes used by CES4Health.info mirror those of most journals. CES4Health.info maintains an editorial staff and an editorial board and follows a rigorous peer review process based on accepted standards of scholarship. There are important differences, however. CES4Health.info uses review criteria that include assessing the extent of community engagement in the work that led to the product, the potential for the productâ€™s use by others and its usefulness. Also, unlike manuscripts, some products reviewed by CES4Health.info cannot be revised.

2. What experience do I need to be a reviewer?

CES4Health.info reviewers have diverse areas of expertise and are based in academic settings such as colleges and universities and based in community organizations, professional associations, non-governmental organizations, and international, national, state, and local agencies. The application asks about your position and organizational affiliation, areas of special interest or expertise, and experience as a reviewer (e.g., of publications, grant proposals, conference abstracts). However, there is no specific requirement for a certain amount of prior review experience. Please see What to Expect for more information about reviewer roles and responsibilities.

3. The reviewer application requests information about my experience and expertise. I wouldn't consider myself an "expert". Can I still be a reviewer?

Yes. We believe that reviewers from both academic and community backgrounds have knowledge and skills gained from their professional and personal experience that would be useful in providing a review for CES4Health.info. Please indicate the product topics you would be comfortable reviewing, even if you wouldn't think of yourself as an "expert" in these areas according to traditional definitions of expertise.

4. How will I learn how to perform a review?

Reviewers participate in a phone training session with the Editor to learn about the review criteria, how to apply criteria to various types of products, how to provide written feedback to the author, and how to submit their review.

5. What materials will I have available in order to evaluate the product assigned to me to review?

Reviewers evaluate the product itself and the accompanying application. The application requests information pertaining to the nature of the work that led to the development of the product, the rigor of the development of the product, the impact or potential impact of the product, etc.

6. What parts of the submitted materials can I suggest revisions to?

Reviewers may always suggest revisions to the product application in order to improve its content and public presentation. When products are not easily amenable to modification (e.g, videos, DVDs) reviewers would not make suggestions for revision to these products. When products are easily amenable to change (e.g., documents, slide presentations) reviewers may suggest ideas for improvement to these products.

7. What parts of my review will authors see?

Reviewers provide a quantitative rating for each review criteria. Authors will not see these ratings. Reviewers also provide a summary of the strengths and limitations of the product and product application and may recommend revisions, if appropriate. Authors will see this information. This summary should be detailed and specific so authors have sufficient guidance when revising their materials.

8. How do I submit my review?

The CES4Health.info peer review process is conducted online. On the reviewer training call and in email communications, reviewers will receive instructions for accessing the online review form.

9. I have not heard from CES4Health.info since being trained months ago. Am I still in the reviewer pool?

Yes, after training the editor accepts your application onilne (unless there were questions about your experience, in which case the editor would have called you). There is no training or acceptance confirmation sent. You have probably not been contacted yet because we have a large pool of reviewers and there has not yet been a product submitted that matches your specific areas of expertise.

10. Are there ways to keep informed about what is happening with CES4Health.info?

Yes, the editor sends a monthly email newsletter with review tips, announcements and news.

11. What does a high quality summary look like?

The most important question on the reviewer rating form is Question 12. An example of a good response to question 12 can be found here.