How to Reply to the Comments of Reviewers
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“How to Reply to the Comments of Reviewers and Editors” Jay D. Iams, MD Editor American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Jay D. Iams, AJOG, 2016.
Dear Doctor: Your manuscript has received reviews by the consultants of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology We are interested in giving your paper further consideration, once you and your co-authors have addressed the comments of the reviewers • Mixed Emotions – Pleasure: AJOG will publish my paper! – Dread: What about the reviews? • Do It Now. • Read the Instructions. – Have questions? E-Mail the Managing Editors • Editor’s Comments • Reviewers’ Comments Jay D. Iams, AJOG, 2016.
Dear Doctor: Your manuscript has received reviews by the consultants of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology We are interested in giving your paper further consideration, once you and your co-authors have addressed the comments of the reviewers. Although it rarely happens, not all papers sent for revision are accepted. If you choose to revise your manuscript, please submit all items on the following checklist at the Elsevier Editorial website. Revisions submitted after the designated due date may be considered a new submission and undergo an additional peer review process. REVISION DUE NO LATER THAN: Insert inconvenient date here. Deadlines are now your friends. The editors ask you to follow the revision instructions carefully. Incomplete revisions or inadequate attention to detail may delay the editorial process or lead to rejection of the manuscript. Jay D. Iams, AJOG, 2016.
Editor’s Comments • Do What the Editor Asks. S/He is your friend & shares your goal: – Widely read, highly cited, ASAP. • If you really disagree w/ Editor, wait and review literature before you respond. Then email or call. Most AJOG Editors aren’t perfect or all-knowing. Fred Zuspan: Thank you ever so much! Ted Quilligan: Let me think about that.
Reviewers’ Comments • Reviewers are not all created equal. • Categories – Old Reliables: Experienced, wise, prompt. – Competitors: Up to date but can be edgy. – Newbies: Learning to review, too or • Review Styles. – Line by Line: All details including typo’s – Big Picture comments & suggestions – Friendly and brief = Useless. Jay D. Iams, AJOG, 2016.
How To Respond • Read all the reviews before you respond; many have the same comments & suggestions. • Focus on reviews that improve clarity &/or are noted by the editor. • Was your Introduction understood? – Most common error is the Introduction Jay D. Iams, AJOG, 2016.
Use the Format to Respond to Comments • Reviewer 1 – Comment 1: Paste Reviewer’s Q or Comment: • “Author should revise to clarify method used to identify candidates for the study. ” – Response to Rev 1, Comment 1: • Replaced “Asked women in prenatal clinic to enroll in study” with, “Screened all new prenatal charts to identify those who met study criteria. ” • Location of modified text in the manuscript – Page #, Section, Paragraph # Jay D. Iams, AJOG, 2016.
Use the Format to Respond to Comments • Reviewer 4 – Comment 14: Paste Reviewer’s Comment: • “Author’s study design fatally flawed by failure to obtain X-Ray pelvimetry before randomization to buccal or intramuscular oxytocin. ” – Response to Rev 4, Comment 14: • Respectfully disagree with Reviewer 4’s suggestion based on ACOG PB 1, 1982 (cit. ) • Location of modified text – no modification made Jay D. Iams, AJOG, 2016.
Follow the Instructions • Track Changes & Revised Clean Versions • Re-Name Versions at Beginning – Original: Smith AJOG Preterm Birth Cure ms. – Smith AJOG Preterm Birth Cure ms. Rev 1. – Rev 1. Smith AJOG Preterm Birth Cure ms. Jay D. Iams, AJOG, 2016.
What If My Manuscript Is REJECTED ? • Read the Reviews and Editors Comments – Standard Language = Not likely to be in AJOG – Supportive Comments = Revise to address comments & resubmit somewhere soon – Suggestion to Resubmit to AJOG ? • Allows more time than Revise & Resubmit • Allows more reconsideration / revision of work • Need Guidance? Don’t Understand? – Ask the Editor! Jay D. Iams, AJOG, 2016.