eferee Reports
This page explains the structure of the reports and three ways of transmitting them to the
editorial office.
A referee report consists of two parts: (i) a cover letter with the manuscript number/title
and your opinion, and
(ii) the report itself intended to be transmitted to the author(s).
The editorial address is:
Kwan Choi, Review of International Economics, Department of Economics, Iowa
State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA. Fax: 515-294-9913, Tel: 294-5999, E-mail:
kchoi@iastate.edu
How to E-mail Your Referee Reports
1. E-mail referee reports are acceptable. Actually, they are preferred
to reports by fax or mail, because snail mail retards the editorial process
and fax reports are often difficult to read because of low resolution and small
letters. If it is successfully transmitted, you will get a confirmation from
the editorial office. If not, do not assume that the report was transmitted.
2. Microsoft Word or WordPerfect or Adobe pdf files are
acceptable. Please separate the cover letter and the report. If your report
is e-mailed as a separate attachment, it can be e-mailed directly to the authors.
The cover letter can be written as text in the e-mails. Please do not list your
name as author of documents in file properties as RIE relies on the double-blind
refereeing process.
3. Please send a copy of the report by snail mail, too, because
e-mail is not always reliable, and you can't verify whether your report by e-mail
has been received by the editorial office. Fax reports are likewise acceptable.
Fax Reports
Fax 1 copy each of your cover letter and comments. Please use high resolution, if
possible.
If it is not too much trouble, also mail them.
Reports by Snail Mail ONLY
Please mail 1 cover letter plus 2 copies of your comments.
Cover Letter
As we enter the new century, the editorial process should be improved.
You can reduce the frustration of authors and help the profession immensely
if your cover letter includes:
- manuscript number (it takes time to locate the manuscript without it).
- the title (in case there is an error in the manuscript number, this insures that the
editorial office locate the manuscript).
- your postal address
- your e-mail address (please include it in the text). In case the authors
have brief questions by e-mail concerning how to revise the manuscript, the
office will try to convey the message to the referees.
- your summary opinion
- A. Accept in present form or with slight changes.
- B. Accept for publication after minor revision, with a suggestion about the length.
- C. Reconsider for publication after extensive revision.
- D. Reject, with suggestions for possible submission elsewhere.
- E. Shrink to a note (of no more than 10 pages) with suggestions
Report
Prepare your comments that include your reasons, suggestions, and concerns. Comment
on the
manuscript's originality, clarity, contribution to literature, and relevance to real world
problems. Make
suggestions about its length, organization, tables, and figures.
The bottom line is this: If there is an important idea in the paper,
make constructive comments (e.g., how to streamline the arguments, what parts
should be cut) and help authors publish the paper. If not, say so frankly.
There is no point in beating about the bush. If the paper is clearly below
RIE standards, detailed comments are unnecessary.
If you lose the manuscript
Referees who travel frequently occasionally lose manuscripts. If this happens, just contact
the editorial office,
and you will get another copy.
Nothing is more appreciated by authors than a prompt referee report.
"Writing a referee report in the old days."
With apologies to "Monet painting in his floating studio" by Manet
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