Strategies for Developing Journal Peer Reviewers: A Scoping Review

AIMThis scoping review examined development strategies for preparing reviewers to critically appraise the content of manuscripts submitted to peer-reviewed journals.BACKGROUNDThe journal peer review process is the crux of building the science of nursing education to inform teaching and learning.METHODUsing the Joanna Briggs Institute procedure for scoping reviews, five databases were searched for articles published in English in peer-reviewed health sciences journals between 2012 and 2022 that included strategies for developing journal peer reviewers.RESULTSOf the 44 articles included in the review, a majority were commentaries (52%) published by medicine (61%), followed by nursing (9%) and multidisciplinary journals (9%). Reviewer development strategies aligned with three themes: pedagogical approaches, resources, and personal practices.CONCLUSIONAlthough multiple disciplines addressed peer reviewer development, a comprehensive and effective approach was not reported in the reviewed literature. The findings can inform a multilevel reviewer development program led by academic nurse educators.