How to review a manuscript: a "down-to-earth" approach.

Dr. Roberts is the Editor-in-Chief of Academic Psychiatry. Drs. Coverdale and Louie are the Associate Editors for Academic Psychiatry. Ms. Edenharder is the Assistant to the Editors. Copyright 2004 Academic Psychiatry. A thoughtful review of a manuscript is a gift. It is a gift of expertise, of time, and of careful consideration. It is a gift for authors, editors, and the field. Performing a thoughtful peer evaluation of a manuscript is an acquired skill, however, and one that may not be formally taught in many academic departments or postgraduate training programs. The aim of this short piece is to provide some “down-to-earth” guidance for early career faculty, prospective authors, and peer reviewers on how to write a manuscript review. This represents a fundamental skill in academics, and this paper is the first in a series that will appear in our journal providing “down-to-earth” guidance related to academic skills for our readers.