Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026
16:23
Automated, Quantitative Cognitive/Behavioral Screening of Mice: For Genetics, Pharmacology, Animal Cognition and Undergraduate Instruction
Published on: February 26, 2014
14.4K
Reviewing manuscripts for behavior-analytic journals: A primer
Mirela Cengher1, Linda A LeBlanc2
1Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
|November 10, 2023
Summary
This article offers guidelines for conducting effective peer reviews in scientific journals, particularly in behavior analysis. It emphasizes constructive feedback and thorough evaluation to improve the scholarly review process.
Area of Science:
- Behavior Analysis
- Scientific Publishing
- Scholarly Communication
Background:
- Peer review is crucial for scientific quality control and community self-regulation.
- Current training for scholarly peer reviewers is underdeveloped.
- Effective peer review is essential for validating research and maintaining scientific integrity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the scientific peer-review process.
- To provide recommendations for writing effective peer reviews for scientific journals.
- To offer guidelines for scholars conducting peer reviews in behavior analysis.
Main Methods:
- Recommendations were derived from the expertise and preferences of editors-in-chief and associate editors of behavior-analytic journals.
- A review of best practices in scholarly peer review was conducted.
- Guidelines were synthesized based on established editorial standards.
Main Results:
- Key recommendations for reviewers include honoring responsibility, understanding the audience, providing constructive and kind feedback, and meticulously evaluating study merits.
- The developed guidelines aim to enhance the quality and consistency of peer reviews.
- Specific advice is tailored for reviewers within the behavior analysis field.
Conclusions:
- The provided guidelines serve as a foundational resource for scholars new to peer reviewing in behavior analysis.
- Implementing these recommendations can improve the peer-review process and scholarly communication.
- Enhanced reviewer training and adherence to best practices are vital for scientific progress.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Nature and Nurture
Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience, such as differences...
00:54What is Behavior?
Behaviors are actions that an organism engages in—they can be related to finding food, reproducing, defending against threats, and many other possible actions. Behaviors include activities related to the environment around the animal—such as migration—as well as social interactions within a species or population. Many behaviors involve motor output—that is, muscle movements—while others involve less visible actions, such as learning.
01:28Behaviorism
The field of behaviorism was pioneered by figures such as Ivan Pavlov, John B. Watson, and B.F. Skinner fundamentally shifted the focus of psychology to the observable and controllable aspects of human and animal behavior. This shift marked a critical evolution in the discipline, emphasizing scientific rigor and experimental methodology.
The core premise of behaviorism is its focus on observable behavior rather than internal thoughts or feelings. This approach argues that true scientific...
The core premise of behaviorism is its focus on observable behavior rather than internal thoughts or feelings. This approach argues that true scientific...
01:21Behavior Modification
Behavioral approaches have often been criticized for ignoring mental processes and focusing solely on observable behavior. However, these approaches provide an optimistic perspective for individuals seeking to change their behaviors. Rather than concentrating on intrinsic personality traits, behavioral approaches suggest that even longstanding habits can be modified by changing the reward contingencies that maintain them.
A real-world application of operant conditioning principles is applied...
A real-world application of operant conditioning principles is applied...
01:22Behavior Therapy
Behavior therapy incorporates diverse techniques rooted in classical conditioning principles to address maladaptive behaviors and anxiety disorders. These methods aim to reduce avoidance behaviors, foster adaptive coping mechanisms, and alter associations between stimuli and responses, making them effective in a wide range of therapeutic contexts.
Exposure therapy is a cornerstone of behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders. It involves systematic exposure to feared stimuli, either in real...
Exposure therapy is a cornerstone of behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders. It involves systematic exposure to feared stimuli, either in real...
01:26Modeling in Therapy
Modeling, a key technique in therapy, uses observational learning to help clients acquire and practice new skills by watching therapists demonstrate desired behaviors. This approach, rooted in Albert Bandura's concept of vicarious learning, plays a significant role in therapeutic interventions for various psychological conditions, including social anxiety, ADHD, and depression.
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in situations...
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in situations...