Reviewing Scientific Papers

Douglas J. Cumming

Florida Atlantic University

UTAS organized a webinar titled “Reviewing Scientific Papers”, on December 4, 2023. The presenter was a well renowned person, Douglas J. Cumming.

Mr. Cumming delivered a highly informative online presentation to researchers and lecturers at the University of Technology & Applied Sciences. During his presentation, he shed light on the criteria that reviewers consider when accepting or rejecting an article.

He emphasized the importance of addressing new and innovative topics in research, expressing skepticism towards articles that merely replicate studies conducted in other countries, referring to them as "me-too" papers. He noted that when a topic has already been explored in another country, reviewers may not appreciate a simple replication for a different location.

Additionally, Cumming highlighted the significance of including an online appendix in research papers, deeming articles with this feature as more reliable. He further advised authors to disclose any potential conflicts of interest with editors. Such transparency, he explained, fosters the perception of fairness and integrity.

Furthermore, Cumming provided valuable guidance to researchers, urging them to thoroughly address all points raised by reviewers before resubmitting their work. This, he emphasized, contributes to the enhancement and credibility of the submitted manuscript.