Preparing a Referee Report: Guidelines and Perspectives

9 Pages Posted: 11 Jan 2015 Last revised: 21 Dec 2016

See all articles by Jonathan Berk

Jonathan Berk

Stanford Graduate School of Business; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Campbell R. Harvey

Duke University - Fuqua School of Business; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

David A. Hirshleifer

Marshall School of Business, USC; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Date Written: November 21, 2016

Abstract

Peer review is fundamental to the efficacy of the scientific process. We draw from our experience both as editors, authors and association representatives to provide a set of guidelines for referees in preparing their reports and cover letters to journal editors. While our document is directed to anyone asked to review a paper, our suggestions are especially relevant for new members of the profession when preparing their first reports.

The Appendix to this document contains a Checklist. The Checklist is also available here.

Also see our companion paper, How to Write an Effective Referee Report and Improve the Scientific Review Process, which includes comments by former editors of economics and finance journals.

Keywords: Referee report, Cover letter, Ethics, Conflicts of Interest

JEL Classification: A1, B1, C1, D1, E1, F1, G1, G1, I1, J1, K1, L1, M1, N1, O1, P1, Q1, R1, Y1, Z1

Suggested Citation

Berk, Jonathan B. and Harvey, Campbell R. and Hirshleifer, David A., Preparing a Referee Report: Guidelines and Perspectives (November 21, 2016). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2547191 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2547191

Jonathan B. Berk

Stanford Graduate School of Business ( email )

655 Knight Way
Stanford, CA 94305-5015
United States

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) ( email )

1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Campbell R. Harvey (Contact Author)

Duke University - Fuqua School of Business ( email )

Box 90120
Durham, NC 27708-0120
United States
919-660-7768 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.duke.edu/~charvey

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

David A. Hirshleifer

Marshall School of Business, USC ( email )

Marshall School of Business
Los Angeles, CA 90089
United States

HOME PAGE: http://https://sites.uci.edu/dhirshle/

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) ( email )

1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

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