What are some effective strategies to address major revisions in a polite and constructive way?
Receiving major revisions from peer reviewers can be a daunting and frustrating experience for any academic researcher. However, it is also an opportunity to improve your work and increase your chances of publication. How can you address major revisions in a polite and constructive way? Here are some effective strategies to help you.
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Sarasadat MAKIANPh.D. candidate at Grenoble Alpes University, with a passion for tourism research and the future of tourism
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Stanley A.Medical Doctor | Mental Health & Wellness | Academic Research & Writing | Clinical Data Analyst | Virtual Health &…
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Sahnya MehraPostgraduate in Classics and Ancient History | Classicist
The first step is to read the feedback carefully and try to understand the reviewers' perspective and expectations. Do not take the comments personally or defensively. Instead, look for the main issues and suggestions that the reviewers have raised. You may find it helpful to categorize the feedback into different types, such as factual errors, logical flaws, unclear arguments, missing references, or formatting issues.
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Sarasadat MAKIAN
Ph.D. candidate at Grenoble Alpes University, with a passion for tourism research and the future of tourism
Firstly, I firmly believe that a proficient reviewer consistently employs a highly courteous tone when evaluating papers. I also acknowledge the considerable time and effort they invested in conducting the review. Consequently, I respond to their comments with utmost respect. They are here to assist me in enhancing my manuscript.
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Stanley A.
Medical Doctor | Mental Health & Wellness | Academic Research & Writing | Clinical Data Analyst | Virtual Health & Project Manager | Flinders Go Beyond Global Scholar
✓Thoroughly review the feedback provided by your reviewers or mentors. ✓Ensure you have a clear understanding of their comments and suggestions. ✓If anything is unclear, seek clarification before proceeding.
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Arash Moghadasi
IRIPLA & IAUNS Member || Tehran Peace Museum Volunteer || Legal Specialist || Independent Researcher
I believe such situations would be excellent for the overall quality of paper. Through this stage, your given a chance to both increase the quality of your work and learn from the comments. Therefore it is important to take every single comment, no matter the tone, as a chance to improve your work prior to publication rather than a cumbersome process. Also, when responding to comments it's better to make a list comprised of the comments and write in front of each the changes you made to your work regarding each specific comment.
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Mohamed Shaibi
Genetic Engineer and Pharmacist
Understand the feedback: Take time to thoroughly read through the feedback provided by reviewers or supervisors. Clarify any ambiguous points by seeking additional explanations or examples if needed. Make notes summarizing the key points of the feedback to ensure a clear understanding.
The next step is to prioritize the revisions according to their importance and feasibility. You may not be able to address all the comments, especially if they are contradictory, irrelevant, or beyond the scope of your research. Therefore, you need to decide which revisions are essential, which are desirable, and which are optional. You can use a table or a spreadsheet to list the revisions and rank them accordingly.
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Sahnya Mehra
Postgraduate in Classics and Ancient History | Classicist
1. Categorise the revisions based on the time they would require to complete - focus on smaller and quicker revisions and get them out of the way. 2. Optional revisions must be noted and considered at a later phase - further research may make them indispensible to the work.
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Stanley A.
Medical Doctor | Mental Health & Wellness | Academic Research & Writing | Clinical Data Analyst | Virtual Health & Project Manager | Flinders Go Beyond Global Scholar
✓Identify the most critical and high-impact revisions that need to be addressed first. ✓Prioritizing ensures that you focus on the most important aspects of the feedback and make efficient use of your time.
The third step is to plan your response to the reviewers' comments. You need to explain how you have addressed each comment, or why you have not. You should be polite, respectful, and constructive in your response. You should also provide evidence and references to support your claims and decisions. You can use a letter or a document to write your response, and use headings, bullet points, or numbers to organize it.
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Stanley A.
Medical Doctor | Mental Health & Wellness | Academic Research & Writing | Clinical Data Analyst | Virtual Health & Project Manager | Flinders Go Beyond Global Scholar
✓Develop a plan outlining how you will address each set of revisions. ✓Break down the tasks into manageable steps, and establish a realistic timeline for completion. ✓This planning phase helps you approach the revisions systematically.
The fourth step is to make the changes in your manuscript according to your response. You should follow the journal's guidelines and format your manuscript accordingly. You should also highlight the changes or use track changes to show the reviewers what you have done. You should also check your grammar, spelling, and punctuation to avoid any errors or inconsistencies.
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Stanley A.
Medical Doctor | Mental Health & Wellness | Academic Research & Writing | Clinical Data Analyst | Virtual Health & Project Manager | Flinders Go Beyond Global Scholar
✓Implement the revisions in a careful and thoughtful manner. ✓Pay attention to detail and ensure that each suggested improvement is appropriately incorporated into your work. ✓If you encounter challenges, consider seeking guidance or feedback during this process.
The fifth step is to review your work before submitting it. You should make sure that your revisions have improved your manuscript and addressed the reviewers' comments. You should also check if your manuscript is coherent, clear, and concise. You may want to ask a colleague or a friend to proofread your work and give you feedback. You should also compare your revised manuscript with your original manuscript and your response letter to ensure consistency and accuracy.
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Stanley A.
Medical Doctor | Mental Health & Wellness | Academic Research & Writing | Clinical Data Analyst | Virtual Health & Project Manager | Flinders Go Beyond Global Scholar
✓After making the revisions, thoroughly review your work to ensure that the changes align with the feedback provided. ✓Verify that the document maintains coherence and consistency while addressing the concerns raised by reviewers.
The final step is to submit your work to the journal. You should include your revised manuscript, your response letter, and any other documents that the journal requires. You should also thank the reviewers and the editor for their feedback and time. You should also follow up with the journal and check the status of your submission. You should be prepared to receive further feedback or revisions, and respond accordingly.
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Constance Nwangwu
Industrial Chemist || Supply Chain Manager || Project Manager || Writer
Being open to feedback suggesting major revisions requires embracing a collaborative journey toward academic excellence. It can be tough, especially when revisions take longer than expected. However, remember that every revision suggestion comes from a genuine desire to help you produce your best work and is a reflection of the dedication and support of your peers and editors who want to see you succeed. Hone into your passion for learning and growth and embrace each suggestion as an opportunity to refine your ideas and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in your field. In the end, the journey of revisions leads not only to a high-quality academic paper but also to personal and professional growth that benefits you the most.
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