You're conducting a peer review. What's the most common mistake you could make?

1 Being biased

One of the most common mistakes you could make as a peer reviewer is being biased, either consciously or unconsciously, towards or against the person or the work you are reviewing. Bias can affect your objectivity, fairness, and accuracy, and lead to unfair or inaccurate judgments. To avoid bias, you need to be aware of your own assumptions, preferences, and emotions, and how they might influence your evaluation. You also need to follow the established criteria and standards, and use evidence and facts to support your feedback.

2 Being vague

Another common mistake you could make as a peer reviewer is being vague, unclear, or ambiguous in your feedback. Vague feedback can confuse, frustrate, or demotivate the person you are reviewing, and prevent them from understanding what they did well, what they need to improve, and how to improve it. To avoid being vague, you need to be specific, concrete, and constructive in your feedback. You need to provide examples, suggestions, and recommendations that are relevant, actionable, and achievable.

3 Being harsh

A third common mistake you could make as a peer reviewer is being harsh, rude, or disrespectful in your feedback. Harsh feedback can hurt, offend, or anger the person you are reviewing, and damage your relationship and trust. It can also discourage them from accepting your feedback and making positive changes. To avoid being harsh, you need to be respectful, polite, and empathetic in your feedback. You need to use positive and constructive language, and focus on the work, not the person. You also need to balance your criticism with praise, and acknowledge the strengths and efforts of the person you are reviewing.

4 Being inconsistent

A fourth common mistake you could make as a peer reviewer is being inconsistent, contradictory, or unreliable in your feedback. Inconsistent feedback can undermine your credibility, authority, and professionalism, and create confusion and doubt in the person you are reviewing. It can also make it difficult for them to follow your feedback and measure their progress. To avoid being inconsistent, you need to be consistent, coherent, and reliable in your feedback. You need to follow the same criteria and standards for everyone and everything you review, and align your feedback with the goals and expectations of the peer review process.

5 Being late

A fifth common mistake you could make as a peer reviewer is being late, delayed, or procrastinating in delivering your feedback. Late feedback can lose its relevance, impact, and value, and reduce the opportunities for improvement and learning. It can also show a lack of respect, commitment, and professionalism, and affect your reputation and credibility. To avoid being late, you need to be timely, prompt, and efficient in delivering your feedback. You need to plan ahead, prioritize, and schedule your time and tasks, and communicate your progress and deadlines with the person you are reviewing.