How do I decide whether to say yes or no to a manuscript review request from an academic journal? I consider a few factors:
1) Is it in my area of expertise? Like do I feel like I have a unique perspective that would give it a really good review?
2) Does it look intriguing or fun to read? (This actually might be my #1!)
2) Does it look intriguing or fun to read? (This actually might be my #1!)
3) Do I have time? This is a biggie! Reviewing is a voluntary activity. (And BTW, right now I'm saying NO to almost all manuscript reviews, since I've very underwater with work-work during this shutdown.)
4) Is it a journal I feel I "owe" because I made a commitment to it? (By being an associate editor or something.)
5) Is this a re-submission that I reviewed previously? I like to always say yes to those for continuity for the authors' process.
5) Is this a re-submission that I reviewed previously? I like to always say yes to those for continuity for the authors' process.
6) Is it a *really* good journal? (I'll often say yes to a really good journal, not so much for the prestige but because really good journals usually send really good articles which are interesting/fun to read.)
7) Was I asked by a friend? (If the editor that's asking me is someone I like, a colleague, etc., I'm more inclined to say yes.)
8) Does the journal's website annoy me? Some journals have annoying online review systems and I'm actually slightly less inclined to review for them.
And some things that don't factor in for me:
1) I don't say yes to try to up my chances of being reviewed an accepted at that journal later. I've heard some junior people ask if reviewing buys this kind of goodwill. I don't think so and honestly I wouldn't want to be published in a journal that operated like that.
2) I *never* feel obligated to review for a journal that is owned by a big academic publisher (which is most of them) if they are not offering payment (which is most of the time). Journals have some of the highest margins in publishing because they rely on free labor...
...I have done and will do plenty of free reviews for journals published by the Big Guys but never because I feel it's "the right thing to do." I also don't think one should feel like you "owe" these journals a certain # of reviews each time you submit.
