1. HOW TO REVIEW AN ARTICLE E. SIMPSON, UK

2. Reviewing scientific papers and grant applications Elizabeth Simpson Emeritus professor of transplantation biology Imperial College London

3. How are you asked to review papers? Your group leader or a colleague asks you

4. Why are you asked to review papers? Your group leader or colleague asks you because: - she/he does not have the time to do it - values your opinion - thinks it is an important part of your training - wants to test your skills in evaluating evidence and/or in writing

5. How are you asked to review papers? A journal editor asks you

6. Why are you asked to review papers? A journal editor asks you because: - she/he needs competent, independent, specialist evaluation of the manuscript -wants to test your skills to do this, maybe asking for particular points to be addressed -wants to test your writing skills and your ability to meet the deadline

7. How are you asked to review grant applications? A funding body asks you, eg MRC, WT, BBSRC, CRUK, LRF, BHF, ARC NB there are many areas of basic, translational and applied research where aspects of the work proposed need specialist evaluation by an appropriately qualified immunologist

8. Why are you asked to review grant applications? When a funding body asks you, eg MRC, WT, BBSRC, CRUK, LRF, BHF, ARC, they: -need your specialist knowledge -are testing your skills in evaluating evidence and your ability to express your opinions in writing -are looking for people to join their grant panels

9. How should you review papers and grant applications? Read the summary and decide if it interests you and/or you can do it Read the paper very carefully, referring to figures and tables as necessary Re-read if the meaning is unclear, ie sentences, paragraphs and/or conclusions From notes you have jotted down while reading, decide how you judge the paper Decide if it may be suitable for, eg that journal

10. How should you write reviews of papers and grant applications? Read the instructions to reviewers Address the points requested Write an off-line draft of your conclusions, identifying strengths as well as weaknesses Re-read what you have written, carefully correcting typos, editing out unnecessary repetition of words and phrases, making sure that what you have written is clear Copy and paste your review to on-line format Keep a copy of your review

11. How to prepare yourself for reviewing papers and grant applications

12. Attend journal clubs, as audience and as presenter Suggest important/contentious papers to the the person organizing journal clubs Practice your writing skills, writing every day Practice reading, not only scientific papers!

13. Why it is important to review papers and grant applications well

14. Why it is important to review papers and grant applications -it helps you to develop your critical and writing skills -it demonstrates your ability to the person who has requested your review -it helps you to write your own papers better -it contributes to the peer review process, giving rather than taking