The next task is to select an appropriate set of reviewers. While a minimum of two reviews is needed, three are recommended. As some reviewers will not complete the review process, it is recommended that you invite more reviewers initially, such as four reviewers.

Determining which reviewers are "appropriate" will often required that you read the paper yourself. You can often determine who is appropriate by then consulting the references at the end of the paper or by searching the reviewer database in the online tool. Note that you should be careful not to select a referee who is too close to the generation of the work that is being reviewed. For example, individuals who work in the same group or department within a company or university or who have had previous interactions with the present authors (i.e. as co-authors of recent papers or as thesis advisor/student should not be selected as referees for such work.

Also, unless otherwise indicated, the Editor should not act as an anonymous reviewer. The Editor may provide feedback as well, without anonymity, to the authors in the decision letter. It is important that the Editor maintain an open role in the editing process. Editors are strongly recommended to provide their own comments and justification on the editorial decision!

Past experience has shown that high quality reviews can often be obtained by choosing referees who are less well known but who have more time and/or more particular interest in the paper being reviewed. Careful selection of the right referees (i.e. those who are technically competent to review the paper and who are likely to provide a thoughtful and thorough review in a timely manner) can decrease the overall time needed for the review process by obviating the need for you to go out later and request additional reviews.

What to Send to Reviewers
Timing of the Review Process
Special Considerations
Author Inquiries

The Transactions on Vehicular Technology are published by the IEEE and sponsored by VTS

Modified:  June 2017