Comments by peer reviewers and journal editors are meant to help authors improve their manuscript. Follow the three golden rules when responding to reviewer comments.

1. How to respond to comments by peer reviewers
Helping you get published

2. How to respond to comments by peer reviewers
Once you submit your painstakingly written research paper to
the journal of your choice, you will most likely be on
tenterhooks for weeks or months before you hear from the
journal editor about the decision on your manuscript. The
journal’s verdict and the peer reviewers’ comments need not
be a bitter pill to swallow if you are prepared to deal with
them pragmatically.

3. The impact factor and other measures of journal prestige
Tips for responding to reviewers
As authors, you may dread receiving reviewer comments asking for major revisions. It’s
daunting to rework something for which you have already taken great pains. But don’t
be tempted to give up. Most often, the final outcome is worth the effort. Here are some
pointers on how to respond to such comments.
1. Take a break
2. Give point-by-point responses
3. Provide well-reasoned arguments
4. Pay attention to detail
5. Watch your tone
6. Appreciate the reviewers’ work

4. How to respond to comments by peer reviewers
Tips for responding to reviewers
1. Take a break: Initial irritation is only natural. Take time off and then read the comments
again carefully and objectively to ensure that you have clearly understood the
reviewers’ concerns.
2. Give point-by-point responses: Number the reviewers’ points and respond to them
sequentially. Use headings such as “Reviewer 1” then “Comment 1.” This makes it
easier for the editor/reviewers to follow what you have done. It is essential to address
each and every point that the peer reviewer or journal editor may have raised.

5. How to respond to comments by peer reviewers
Tips for responding to reviewers
3. Provide well-reasoned arguments: If you do not agree with a reviewer’s comment, you
should say so. However, do not simply state your disagreement. Provide as many details
as necessary to help the reviewer understand your line of reasoning. Where possible,
cite published studies to support your argument.

6. How to respond to comments by peer reviewers
Tips for responding to reviewers
4. Pay attention to detail: Details are important when explaining how you have addressed
each concern. For example, if a reviewer has said that you need to include/reinterpret
data, you can describe the tests you performed and the results you got and mention
where you have added this information. You may be considerate and even paste the
exact sentences that you have added or modified in the manuscript when following a
reviewer’s suggestion, since this can save the editor/reviewer the trouble of switching
between files.

7. How to respond to comments by peer reviewers
Tips for responding to reviewers
5. Watch your tone: Remember, the reviewers are critiquing your work, not you. Do not let
your responses reflect any bitterness. If you disagree on some point, say so honestly but
respectfully, and support your statement with a rational, scientific explanation, citing
references from the literature for support.

8. How to respond to comments by peer reviewers
Tips for responding to reviewers
6. Appreciate the reviewers’ work: Peer reviewers invest their own time in reviewing your
manuscript, without pay. For the most part, their intention is to help authors improve
their study. Take advantage of their advice. In fact, a long list of detailed comments from
a reviewer usually means that reviewer has spent time evaluating your study and
providing constructive feedback. Be sure to thank the reviewer for their consideration
and effort .

9. How to respond to comments by peer reviewers
Editor Speak
The point-by-point responses should address the concerns directly, offering a
description of the changes made or an explanation as to why the comment
was set aside. There should be reasoned disagreement and not just
disagreement.2
- A former journal editor

10. How to respond to comments by peer reviewers
Are peer reviewers always right?
Peer reviewers are essentially experts in their field. However, this does not mean that their
comments should be taken as gospel. Evaluate each of the reviewers’ comments on their
merits. Do not agree with a reviewer just for the sake of agreeing or with the mistaken
impression that the journal editor expects you to incorporate all of the reviewers’
suggestions. At the end of the day, it is your study and reputation at stake.

11. How to respond to comments by peer reviewers
Are peer reviewers always right?
You may also find yourself receiving conflicting feedback from reviewers. One reviewer may
be satisfied with the methodology while another may consider it inappropriate.
Minor differences of opinion are natural, but such diametrically opposite views can be
perplexing. See which reviewer you agree more with and follow his/her advice, and justify
your decision to the editor.
Alternatively, you could request the editor to give you a third opinion. Ultimately, it is the
journal editor who will make the decision on how to handle the conflict. Providing a well-
reasoned argument is likely to tip the balance in your favor.

12. How to respond to comments by peer reviewers
Dealing with requests for major changes
Word count reductions: Sometimes, your paper may be accepted for publication, but the
journal editors may request you to trim your article by, say, one-third. This seemingly
unreasonable request is often justified because in their endeavour to publish high-quality
articles promptly, editors often face the problem of shortage of space. You will almost
certainly have no choice but to comply with this request.

13. How to respond to comments by peer reviewers
Dealing with requests for major changes
Requests for extra data or text: Reviewers may suggest various types of changes, from
tweaking certain sentences to revising entire paragraphs. Occasionally, you may be asked to
supply large sets of data or include more than a page of text. Provided the suggested
changes are within the scope of the manuscript and you agree with them, you may wish to
first consult with the journal editors to determine whether space constraints allow you to
make the additions.

14. How to respond to comments by peer reviewers
Conclusion
Comments from peer reviewers, more often than not, offer an excellent opportunity to
improve the quality of your manuscript. Addressing them adequately may increase the
chances of acceptance, if not in that journal, elsewhere at least.

15. How to respond to comments by peer reviewers
REFERENCES:
1. Williams H.C. (2004). How to reply to peer review comments when submitting papers for
publication. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 51, 79–83.
2. Samet J.M. (1999). Dear Author—Advice from a Retiring Editor. American Journal of Epidemiology,
150, 433–436

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