What is Peer Review
The basic peer review format is to have students review the written work of other students and make suggestions for improvement. Peer review may be conducted in class and/or outside of class.
Peer review may be completed with pen-and-paper or facilitated with technological tools such as:
- Email exchange: students may email other students text messages with their comments.
- MS Word attachments: students may email the reviewer an electronic version of a document and have the reviewer use the 'tools' function and 'track changes' in Microsoft Word. Caution is urged with having students send attached files - a virus may be contained in the document.
- Web-based programs: online course management programs are available for students to post and download files for peer review.
Peer review is an important part of the scientific process, yet many students do not receive an opportunity to participate in this valuable exercise. Typical reasons instructors steer away from this type of assignment include the amount of in-class time it takes to complete and students not reporting meaningful comments for fear of complete anonymity. Organizing mock reviews and/or utilizing technological tools can facilitate and streamline the peer-review process in introductory-level courses. For sample review forms and grading rubrics, see the How to use Peer Review page.
Examples of where to use peer review (from Gehringer (2000))
Peer review can be applied to a variety of assignments in introductory-level courses and beyond. Some examples include:- to review research papers
- to research lecture material
- to annotate lecture notes
- to make up original problems
- to review other students' designs
- to do weekly reviews in independent-study courses
For further information
Colorado State University's Writing Center has put together the website, Overview: Using Student Peer Review (more info) . It provides information on planning for peer review, helping students make effective comments, helping students handle divergent advice, sample worksheet and additional information. This is a very useful site for an instructor hoping to implement the use of peer review in any subject.
Strategies and mechanisms for electronic peer review (more info) (PDF) is an article that presents a system of electronic peer review developed by E.F. Gehringer at North Carolina State University. The implementation of the Peer Grader system is detailed as well as student reaction to the system. The article explored the ways that electronic peer review facilitates collaborative learning.
Melanie Dawson of the University of Richmond's Writing Center has prepared a Peer Editing Guide (more info) . This guide offers help for students in knowing what to look for when reviewing a peer's paper. Specific questions regarding the thesis, content and clarity (among other aspects) are given to help the reviewer grasp the important parts of a paper.
