assignment

peer_review.doc

Proposal Title:

Autism spectrum disorder

INTRODUCTION	YES	NO
Does the introduction explain why the study was done?	*
Is the introduction too long or too short (inadequate background)?		*
Is the research question and/or hypothesis stated explicitly and correctly?	*
Is it clear why this question/hypothesis is important?		*
METHODS	YES	NO
Would the project be completely reproducible using this section alone?	*
Are the proposed methods understandable?	*
Based on your knowledge of this area, were the correct outcomes examined?	*
Based on your knowledge of this area, are there other outcomes that should have been examined but weren’t?	*
Are there any indications of “data dredging” or “fishing” (i.e., no prior hypothesis or research question)?	*
Based on your knowledge of this area, are the methods described being used appropriately?	*
REFERENCES	YES	NO
Are they up-to-date relative to the topic being studied?	*
Have they all been cited and used correctly?	*
Are there other studies that should have been discussed and referenced?		*
REVIEW SUMMARY
Originality ( Low ( Moderate ( High
Scientific importance ( Low ( Moderate ( High
Clinical/health/research/policy importance ( Low ( Moderate ( High
Clarity ( Low ( Moderate ( High
Grammar/editorial concerns ( Low ( Moderate ( High

COMMENTS:

This paper is done nicely and all relevant points are covered.

Adapted from the Peer Review Template, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine.

To maintain the integrity of the double-blind peer review process I also need to ask all of you to please NOT discuss your peer review assignment with ANY of your classmates under ANY circumstances. The homework template (see attached files) has a series of Yes/No questions to help you organize your thinking then a section for written comments at the end.

Grading shall be as follows (5 points total):

· Responding to ALL questions in the Introduction, Methods, References and Review Summary sections of the template (1/2 point per section; 2 points total)

· Providing at least three constructive comments on your classmate's proposal (1 point per comment; 3 points total). Constructive comments 1) are specific (ideally you should be able to reference a specific page/paragraph), 2) do NOT just point out flaws; if you are offering a criticism then please also make a suggestion to help improve it and 3) are professional in tone (snarky, mean or malicious comments will NOT be tolerated; though I am less worried about this with this particular class because all of you seem to be very kind to and supportive of one another).

Points will be deducted as appropriate for each missing item above. In addition:

· 1/4 point for each incomplete section will be deducted if the Introduction, Methods, References or Review Summary sections of the template are only partially completed.

· 1/2 point will be deducted for each comment that is vague or criticizes without including a suggestion to help improve the flaw. No points will be given for unprofessional comments

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