What? The second read-through is detailed. Make notes of all general issues and specific queries that arise as you read the manuscript. General issues are relevant to across all sections. Specific queries can be major or minor concerns. Major concerns require the author to do more than revising the text to be addressed, such as additional data collection, analysis, or a re-evaluation of the data interpretation; and a large number or profound major concerns may lead you to recommend rejection.

Why? The goal of the second read-through is to identify ways in which the manuscript can be improved to get it ready for publication. The benchmark for publication is whether the manuscript makes a useful contribution to our current understanding.

How? Prepare for writing the main body of your review:

• Note line numbers to help you find back the location in the manuscript that your comment refers to, and to help the editors and authors find the location

• Keep figures easily accessible by displaying them in a second window, another screen, or by making a hard copy

• Write your notes in a separate document, don't merely write comments into the manuscript

What? General issues are relevant to across all sections. They often concern clarity and cohesion.

Why? Clarity of writing is essential.  Check that arguments are presented clearly. Your primary role is judging the research content, and second the clarity of presentation. Don't spend time polishing grammar or spelling. Only highlight such errors that affect clarity of meaning. But do not let poor writing get in the way of good science: A 2010 study found that 79% of recommendations by reviewers were influenced by grammar and writing style (Shattel, et al., 2010).

How? Make notes on general issues using the following guiding questions:

• Argument construction. Are there

  •  places where the meaning is unclear or ambiguous?

  • factual errors?

  • invalid arguments?

• Clarity of writing. 

  • Are there aspects that could be communicated better?

Title and abstract

Major issues

Title or abstract do not reflect the main topic or findings of the study

Minor issues

Title or abstract are only suitable for expert reader or unlikely to draw in readers

A good title

• draws in the reader

• announces the topic or the main finding of the study

A good abstract addresses the following questions 

• why did the authors conduct this study?

• what did the authors do?

• what did the authors find?

• what does it all mean?