Identify the Experts
A key component of a successful peer review is recruiting and selecting qualified reviewers. Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) maintains access to established professional networks to ensure qualified reviewers match the needs of each customer.
ORAU maximizes the use of its 99-member university consortium, other universities, relevant professional organizations, public lists, and the Internet to identify potential reviewers prior to the review. Through this structure and extensive contacts, ORAU provides a highly responsive system of recruiting reviewers to ensure sufficient and appropriate expertise is available during the peer review process.
ORAU identifies the best qualified experts through an extensive search and screening process that locates reviewers with the appropriate areas of expertise for each review. ORAU also manages conflicts of interest throughout the review process.
ORAU implements a rigorous process to select qualified reviewers that may involve:
- Screening curricula vitae for academic qualifications and research expertise.
- Providing reviewer qualifications to a screening group which selects and assigns candidates to applications or projects.
- Forwarding recommended reviewers and assignments to customers.
- Providing answers to customer questions regarding reviewers and assignments.
A sample process to identify reviewers follows:
