Supporting robust, rigorous, and reliable reviewing as the cornerstone of our profession: Introducing a competency framework for peer review

Tine Köhler, M. Gloria González-Morales, George C. Banks, Ernest H. O'Boyle, Joseph A. Allen, Ruchi Sinha, Sang Eun Woo, Lisa M.V. Gulick

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

48 Scopus citations

Abstract

Peer review is a critical component toward facilitating a robust science in industrial and organizational (I-O) psychology. Peer review exists beyond academic publishing in organizations, university departments, grant agencies, classrooms, and many more work contexts. Reviewers are responsible for judging the quality of research conducted and submitted for evaluation. Furthermore, they are responsible for treating authors and their work with respect, in a supportive and developmental manner. Given its central role in our profession, it is curious that we do not have formalized review guidelines or standards and that most of us never receive formal training in peer reviewing. To support this endeavor, we are proposing a competency framework for peer review. The purpose of the competency framework is to provide a definition of excellent peer reviewing and guidelines to reviewers for which types of behaviors will lead to good peer reviews. By defining these competencies, we create clarity around expectations for peer review, standards for good peer reviews, and opportunities for training the behaviors required to deliver good peer reviews. We further discuss how the competency framework can be used to improve peer reviewing and suggest additional steps forward that involve suggestions for how stakeholders can get involved in fostering high-quality peer reviewing.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1-27
Number of pages27
JournalIndustrial and Organizational Psychology
Volume13
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2020

Keywords

  • competency framework
  • developmental feedback
  • peer review
  • reliable reviewing

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology
  • Applied Psychology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Supporting robust, rigorous, and reliable reviewing as the cornerstone of our profession: Introducing a competency framework for peer review'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this