Students writing their thesis, or dissertation, are often criticised for providing a ‘summary’, rather than a ‘review’, of the existing literature for their topic. A common comment by examiners and supervisors is that researchers show a thorough knowledge and understanding of the literature. This is characterised by definition, description and explanation, rather than analysis, application and integration. In other words, students often paraphrase the original source material, rather than use advance reviewing skills such as classifying, comparing, contrasting and critiquing.
One way you gain the skills to help you to become a more critical reader and writer is to become a reviewer of academic books and periodicals. By peer-reviewing other authors’ works, you can learn how to examine, assess and evaluate their aims, methods and outcomes. This, in turn, will equip you with skills to summarise, reframe and critically review the work of others.
All academic publishers strive to publish titles on the most cutting-edge research areas. These publications are often niche in nature, and feature robust research, targeted reflections and summaries of trending topics across academic disciplines. Such a rigorous approach is the product of a two-stage, peer-review. First, authored book and periodical publications are subject to an internal appraisal process. Second, the publisher calls on external reviewers to evaluate these works, thus complementing their internal process. This supports the publishers in determining the merit, marketability and viability of the material.
Every paper, article, book chapter or textbook (as well as other materials) that is published also needs to be reviewed externally by peers with subject matter expertise in that area. For example, the majority of the main academic publishing houses often employ graduates working on a part-time basis. They assess published academic books and articles, write accurate summaries or abstracts for inclusion in their databases, and assist with citation checks, scoring, etc. Equally, many college newspapers, magazines and libraries include book/article review sections in their own periodicals and on their websites. They also need people to act as editors and reviewers of articles from contributors. This is an activity you can do both when researching your dissertation and after your thesis is done.
Most editors and reviewers are active members of the academic and research community, such as lecturers, tutors, doctoral researchers, as well as postgraduate and undergraduate students. They apply to, or are approached by, publishers, database owners, and so on. Appointments as reviewers usually run for a one-year term. A reviewer is expected to complete an agreed number of article/chapter/book evaluations per academic year. The work itself is relatively straightforward once you have the requisite subject matter expertise. Draft or completed manuscripts for publication are sent to you electronically. You are requested to complete a set of prescribed closed and open-ended, evaluation questions, with as much detail as possible. Your response should be fulsome and timely, and framed in a collegial and constructive manner.
Volunteering or applying for these roles can give you invaluable publishing and reviewing exposure. They are an effective way of acquiring skills that will help you to search for and review literature, tasks that you also have to conduct as part of your thesis journey. As you become more experienced, you may be able to earn more tangible rewards. For instance, reviewers typically receive an honorarium, complimentary copies of books or free subscriptions to leading periodicals. Sometimes, database owners and college magazines employ reviewers on a part-time basis and pay a (modest) salary. More importantly, while doing this, you will be developing expertise in the evaluation process for authored books and periodicals. This should make the process of researching and writing your thesis much easier and a less taunting task.
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