How should an editor recruit reviewers?

Diane B. Monsivais, PhD, CNE, ANEF

At the Trailhead

Why this matters: Recruiting strong peer reviewers is the foundation of a journal’s quality control system.
What judgment this supports: Reviewer communities are dynamic; building them requires more than simply “finding” reviewers.
How an editor might use this: Use targeted outreach and long-term relationship management to recruit and sustain a strong reviewer community.

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What qualifications do peer reviewers need to have?

Linda Laskowski-Jones, MS, APRN, ACNS-BC, CEN, NEA-BC, NREMT, FAWM, FAEN, FAAN

At the Trailhead

Why this matters: Editors often default to academic credentials when selecting peer reviewers, but this approach may overlook people with valuable content expertise and lived experience.
What judgment this supports: Matching reviewer qualifications to manuscript type, purpose, and content rather than relying solely on formal academic degrees.
How an editor might use this: To broaden reviewer pools, strengthen manuscript evaluation, and develop new reviewers through mentorship and guided participation.

This content is part of the Working Guide to Editorial Systems.

Access is available to subscribers.

Join us for practical guidance, real editorial decisions,

and to learn more about the systems that shape scholarly publishing.

Join Now to Continue Reading

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