Reviewer reflections: mentees from the Early Career Board of Reviewers
Posted on September 25, 2023 by Microbiology Society
Microbial Genomics, the Open Access journal of choice for pioneering research in genomics, supports early career researchers develop skills in reviewing through mentorship on its Early Career Board of Reviewers. This pairs mentees with more experienced reviewers, who offer support and guidance on best practice for effective peer review. Peer review is vital to publishing, refining the work of fellow researchers and ensuring integrity and credibility. Our reviewers support our work as a not-for-profit organisation, as we support and invest in the microbiology community for the benefit of everyone. We asked both former and current mentees of the scheme to share their reflections on peer review and their experience of the Early Career Board of Reviewers.
Why is peer review so important for research?
“Peer review is a crucial step for the production of high-quality scientific research. It is one of the noblest parts of what defines being a researcher, especially considering that we mostly do that voluntarily. […T]he peer review process is central to ensuring that good science is being published with reliable, transparent, reproducible and significant outputs.”
Bruno Francesco Rodrigues de Oliveira, former mentee
“Peer review ensures that the validity and reliability of scientific research are rigorously evaluated. A robust review process contributes to high quality scientific publishing by promoting constructive feedback and dialogue.”
Qin Qi, former mentee
“As a cornerstone and long tradition of science, peer review checks research integrity and improves the quality of research and publications. It also encourages transparent discussions on research and provides researchers with an opportunity to develop critical thinking.”
Yu Wan, former mentee
“Peer review is an important step in building trust for science in the community. It assures readers that the research has been assessed by independent experts in the field and found to be scientifically and methodologically sound. It is also an incredibly useful tool for the individuals themselves; reviewers learn about new research and hone their critical evaluation skills, while the researchers receive feedback that they may not have previously considered.”
Leah Roberts, former mentee
“By seeking input from experts across the globe, peer review helps ensure that high quality papers end up in journals like Microbial Genomics. […P]eer review is about adding constructive feedback to your peers on something they worked very hard at. […] The full spectrum of peer review is important, and it's a great responsibility we all share.”
Colman O'Cathail, former mentee
“Peer review is an essential cornerstone of the research process for ensuring quality, credibility, and integrity. Through independent expert evaluation, peer review ensures that only solid, trustworthy research makes its way into the world.”
Kevin Chau, former mentee
“In my opinion, peer review is essential in ensuring the quality, significance, reproducibility, and originality of proposed manuscripts. Not only this, but it also provides a second pair of eyes over a manuscript, ensuring it reads well and conveys the manuscript's message to another reader that is not part of the study.”
Dan Whiley, former mentee
“Peer review is an important process where just a few reviewers have duty to minimize unsupported or misleading conclusions in the published articles. […I]t is also an important process where solid data produced on questions that have not attracted popular interests […] can be objectively evaluated based on scientific rigor itself and fairly praised, published and recognized.”
Kihyun Lee, former mentee
“Peer review plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and quality of scientific research. It acts as a checks-and-balances system, ensuring that research is accurate, well-structured, and contributes meaningfully to the field.”
Li Yang, former mentee
“Science is a cumulative effort, always building on what has been done before, which means that the scientific community has a collective responsibility to make sure we can rely on each other's work. Peer review is an essential part of this, when done correctly with minimal bias and good oversight. When articles are peer reviewed it allows us to take the results at face value and build on them.”
Poppy Pescod, former mentee
“In fast-moving modern science, peer review is more important than ever to establish the validity, originality, and significance of research.”
Carolin Kobras, former mentee
Peer review is critical for many reasons. I personally believe that it creates an environment of accountability […forcing] you to be meticulous, rigorous and transparent in every aspect of your work. Additionally, peer review introduces diverse perspectives, making sure that the research is comprehensive and free from biases that may be unintentional, but still impactful.
Karol Ciuchciński, current mentee
Peer review is important to research because it gives authors the chance to improve their work in ways they may not have thought about, ultimately leading to more evidence to support their findings.
Elizabeth Darby, current mentee
What do you hope to gain from reviewing for Microbial Genomics?
“During these last years in the [Early Career] Board of Reviewers scheme, I’ve always received the best guidance from the editors of the manuscripts I’ve reviewed and my reviewer mentor had a decisive role in improving my review reports […]. Secondly, I’ve been able to dive into cutting-edge research in production in my areas of expertise and this has opened my eyes to what is actively being performed by my fellow colleagues.”
Bruno Francesco Rodrigues de Oliveira, former mentee
“Microbial Genomics is a high-quality journal that publishes at the forefront of microbial genome research and bioinformatics. I am excited to learn more about the latest developments in the field, contribute to the scientific dialogue, and reflect on ways in which I can apply the latest methodologies to improve my research.”
Qin Qi, former mentee
“I am always excited to gain an early access to latest advances in microbial genomics and learn new ideas during my peer review […]. I also hope to develop critical thinking and improve writing skills for effective scientific communications. Being a reviewer for Microbial Genomics deepens my understanding of the editorial process and reviewers’ perspectives, which help me to improve my research and future manuscripts.”
Yu Wan, former mentee
“I enjoy reviewing for Microbial Genomics because it attracts a wide range of highly topical and interesting research papers that are generally of a very high standard. I enjoy supporting and being part of a community that promotes a wide range of programs for microbiologists at various career stages.”
Leah Roberts, former mentee
“Reviewing for Microbial Genomics for me was about giving something back […:] all the journals at the Microbiology Society ensure their publishing charges are invested in the community, rather than for profit. Being able to offer my contributions to the peer review process means I can hopefully help [Microbial Genomics] stay and attractive place for people to publish their high quality work.”
Colman O'Cathail, former mentee
“Reviewing for Microbial Genomics presents a valuable opportunity for my professional and intellectual growth. Engaging with cutting-edge research in the field allows me to stay current with advancements, broaden my network within the scientific community, and contribute to the evaluation of research findings. This endeavor aligns with my commitment to upholding rigorous academic standards and fostering collaboration within the scientific community.”
Kevin Chau, former mentee
“Being a member of the Microbial Genomics [Early Career] Board of Reviewers has been invaluable in developing my peer reviewer credentials and has allowed me to give back to the field after publishing my own peer reviewed research papers. […] I hope to continue developing my peer reviewing skills and reap the benefits that come with this opportunity.”
Dan Whiley, former mentee
“Microbial genomics research [is] happening everywhere in diverse contexts. Doing the reviewer's role, by chance I get to meet some studies that normally I would not pick and read based on my narrow subject of interest, and deep dive into how the microbial genomics research was performed. […] That expands my overview of the field.”
Kihyun Lee, former mentee
“I hope to further refine my analytical skills, stay updated with the latest advancements, and contribute to the growth of microbiology, especially virology, as a discipline.”
Li Yang, former mentee
“I have been extremely fortunate to think deeply and purposefully about scientific communication and dissemination, along with the direction of the larger field, two experiences which are highly beneficial for early career development.”
Stephania L. Tsola, former mentee
“Peer reviewing has helped me hone my own critical thinking skills, which has improved my own writing and study design. It also helps keep me abreast of the microbial genomics field, I learn about some of the latest advancements early, and I get to feel like I've contributed to making the body of scientific literature more robust.”
Poppy Pescod, former mentee
“Systematically and critically assessing other people’s papers, I have seen my own research through a different lens and improved my manuscripts before submitting them for publication.”
Carolin Kobras, former mentee
“I aim to contribute my expertise to the evaluation of cutting-edge research and to broaden my own understanding of the emerging trends in the field. I also hope that this experience will help me train my analytical skills and critical thinking abilities. Moreover, it offers an excellent opportunity to engage with other experts in the field and build my professional network.”
Karol Ciuchciński, current mentee
“I hope to gain more experience specifically in reviewing genomics articles and hope that this will also improve my reviewing skills more broadly.”
Elizabeth Darby, current mentee