Review Process

Below you can find detailed information about the peer review process. Some reviewers have found it helpful to create a copy of this shared Google document to take notes and share thoughts during the conversation.

The Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning uses a double-blind peer review for Feature Articles in order to guarantee the highest level of professional and academic rigor. Peer reviewers are asked to judge manuscripts according to the following criteria:

• Clear goals
• Appropriateness of methods
• Effectiveness of the presentation of ideas
• Interest and uniqueness of results
• Reflectiveness of analysis

Our unique peer review process is designed to increase collaboration and transparency between editors, authors, and reviewers and to offer substantive feedback beyond what might be accomplished by reviewers individually.

In the spirit of reflecting the meaningful collaboration we ask of campus-community partnerships, the review process has two parts: Individual Review and Synthesized Review. After answering the Individual Review questions, reviewers are expected to discuss together the Synthesized Review questions. By pooling their thoughts rather than completing the review in isolation, authors receive more in-depth, thoughtful feedback from a unified perspective. Furthermore, holding conversations presents a unique learning opportunity for reviewers, who are able to collaborate and share their knowledge of the field. Participating peer reviewers are welcome and encouraged to invite graduate students to your discussion as a valuable learning experience for rising scholars.

NOTE:
Authors will receive both reviewers' Individual Review and Synthesized Review. While the editors will have the opportunity to edit or summarize reviewers’ responses for purposes of clarity, reviewers should expect that their words will go directly to the author.

Further guidelines on how to be an effective reviewer for MJCSL can be found here.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about the guidelines and instructions for feature articles, please contact the editorial team via this form or by emailing mjcsl@umich.edu. 
If you're interested in becoming a peer reviewer for MJCSL, please sign up here.