How can you conduct effective R&D peer review remotely?

1 Choose the right tools and platforms

One of the first steps to conduct effective R&D peer review remotely is to choose the right tools and platforms that suit your needs and preferences. Depending on the type, format, and scope of your R&D projects, you may need different tools and platforms to share, review, and comment on your work. For example, you may use Google Docs, Dropbox, or GitHub for collaborative editing, commenting, and version control; Zoom, Skype, or Slack for video conferencing, instant messaging, and screen sharing; or Mendeley, Zotero, or EndNote for managing and citing references. Make sure you and your peers are familiar with the tools and platforms you use, and have access to the necessary accounts, passwords, and permissions.

2 Establish clear guidelines and expectations

Another key step to conduct effective R&D peer review remotely is to establish clear guidelines and expectations for the review process, such as the goals, criteria, standards, deadlines, and roles of the reviewers and reviewees. You can create a peer review protocol or checklist that outlines the steps, tasks, and responsibilities of each participant, and the expected outcomes and deliverables of the review. You can also set up a regular schedule and frequency for the review sessions, and communicate them clearly to your peers. By having clear guidelines and expectations, you can ensure that everyone is on the same page, and avoid confusion, misunderstanding, or conflict.

3 Provide constructive feedback

The most important step to conduct effective R&D peer review remotely is to provide constructive feedback that is specific, actionable, and respectful. You can use the sandwich method to structure your feedback, which consists of starting with a positive comment, followed by a constructive criticism, and ending with a positive comment. You can also use the SMART method to make your feedback more specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely. You can also ask open-ended questions to elicit more information, clarification, or explanation from your peers. Remember to be respectful, polite, and supportive when giving feedback, and avoid personal attacks, sarcasm, or harsh language.

4 Seek feedback from diverse perspectives

Another way to conduct effective R&D peer review remotely is to seek feedback from diverse perspectives that can offer different insights, opinions, and expertise on your R&D projects. You can invite peers from different disciplines, backgrounds, or organizations to join your review sessions, or reach out to external experts, mentors, or consultants for their input. You can also use online platforms or communities that connect researchers and developers from different fields and locations, such as ResearchGate, Stack Overflow, or Kaggle. By seeking feedback from diverse perspectives, you can broaden your horizons, learn from others, and improve your R&D projects.

5 Incorporate feedback into your R&D projects

The final step to conduct effective R&D peer review remotely is to incorporate feedback into your R&D projects, and document the changes and improvements you make. You can use the tools and platforms you chose to track, manage, and implement the feedback you receive, and to share your progress and updates with your peers. You can also use the feedback to set new goals, objectives, or milestones for your R&D projects, and to evaluate your performance and achievements. You can also acknowledge and appreciate the feedback you receive, and provide feedback to your peers in return. By incorporating feedback into your R&D projects, you can demonstrate your commitment, responsiveness, and professionalism.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?