The term “Peer Review”

In projects, we often use the term “Peer Review“. Unfortunately, peer review can mean different issues. Peer review is used to jointly develop documents as well as to review the quality of a document. The main differences involve the process to enhance a jointly developed document by adding content, comments, and suggestions. Another type  focuses on evaluating the quality, content, document structure, and layout (including typos) of a document.

Different relevant items

These distinct approaches serve different purposes in the review process.

  • Purpose
    The purpose of a peer review to enhance a jointly developed document is to improve the content and structure of the document by adding content, comments, and suggestions. The purpose of a quality review of a document is to evaluate the content, document structure, and layout of the document to ensure that it is accurate, clear, and easy to read.
  • Audience
    The audience for a review to enhance a jointly developed document is the authors of the document. The audience for a quality review of a document is typically the author of the document, but it can also be other stakeholders, such as editors, publishers, or readers.
  • Type of feedback
    The feedback provided in a peer review to enhance a jointly developed document is typically more informal and open-ended. The feedback provided in a quality review of a document is typically more formal and structured.
  • Timeliness
    Peer reviews to enhance a jointly developed document are typically conducted in a shorter timeframe than quality reviews of documents. This is because the goal of a peer review to enhance a jointly developed document is to improve the document before it is finalized, while the goal of a quality review of a document is to ensure that the document is of high quality before it is published or released.
peer review - European Initiative for Education Austria
Peer review can mean different issues – distinguished by the protagonists and the intended aims.

Comparison table of peer review

Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between peer review to enhance a jointly developed document and quality review of a document:

Feature Peer Review to Enhance a Jointly Developed Document Quality Review of a Document
Purpose Improve the content and structure of the document Evaluate the content, document structure, and layout of the document
Audience Authors of the document Author of the document, editors, publishers, or readers
Type of feedback Informal and open-ended Formal and structured
Timeliness Shorter timeframe Longer timeframe

b

The term “Peer Review”