Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning

Manuscript Review

Please note that we are using a new peer review form drawn from the scholarship evaluation criteria developed by Glassick et al. in Scholarship Assessed: Evaluation of the Professoriate.

Please complete the evaluation form below for each article emailed to you, knowing that each serves two purposes: to inform the editors about the publication-worthiness of the article and to give feedback to the author(s).  For both reasons, please be generous in your notes about how the article may be improved, even those you recommend for publication.

The Michigan Journal uses a double blind review process.  Identification of authors, institutional affiliations, etc. have been removed to minimize possible biases and assure the paper is rated on its own merits.  Correspondingly, reviewers’ identities are withheld from author(s).

Reviews are due to the editor, Jeff Howard (email) no later than June 30th and preferably earlier. When you submit this form, you will recieve a copy via email for your records.

Per the email accompanying the article

Evaluation

Are the purposes clear? Are the purposes realistic? Does the paper relate to an important question in the field?

Is there a solid understanding of the relevant literature? Is there anything missing from the literature review? Does the author have an understanding of the subject matter?

Are the methods appropriate to the goals? Does the author demonstrate an understanding of the methods? Are references identified for the method(s) selected?

Is the work groundbreaking? Does the paper achieve the goals? Does the paper contribute consequentially to the field? Does the work open additional areas for further exploration?

Is the paper well written? Is the writing clear? Is the paper’s organization appropriate? Is the Michigan Journal the place to disseminate this work?

Does the author critically reflect upon her/his own work? Are limitations identified when appropriate? Are future directions identified when appropriate?