Manuscript reviewing: what reviewers have to say

This paper reports a study that examined the experience of manuscript reviewing. Fifteen reviewers participated, responding to questions about their experience of the process, its perceived strengths and weaknesses, and areas considered worthy of further investigation. Qualitative methodology and analysis were employed. Overall, the study showed that manuscript reviewing brings both extrinsic and intrinsic rewards, but that a price must be paid for these in terms of time spent and frustrations associated with the task. There was some skepticism among reviewers about the value of the peer review process, along with a desire for improvement. Recommendations for further research centre largely around the politics of scholarship and creating a more transparent process.