Sample letter to external manuscript evaluators for JLAG

Dear __________________:

Thank you for agreeing to review the enclosed paper, “________________________,” which has been submitted for publication in the Journal of Latin American Geography. We would appreciate receiving your evaluation and comments and any anonymous recommendations to the authors, on a separate page, within 4 weeks of receipt. Your review may be returned as an attachment via electronic mail to (jlag@maxwell.syr.edu) or sent by ordinary mail to:

Editor
Journal of Latin American Geography
144 Eggers
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY 13244-1020
USA

Scope of the Journal

During your review, please recall that the Journal’s request for submissions seeks original and well-written manuscripts focusing on geographical issues in Latin America, primarily from geographers and other scholars in the social and physical sciences, as well as the humanities, who are researching and writing about geographic topics concerning Latin America or Latin Americans. The Journalseeks to represent the broad spectrum of geographic perspectives on, and from, the region.

Confidentiality

This is to be a “double blind” review, in which the reviewer and author are not identified to one another. As such, please do not include your name or other identifying information on your comments to the author. If you do wish, for some reason, to reveal your identity to the author, please let us know.

General Review Guidelines

Please consider the following general questions when reviewing the paper:

  1. Is the paper appropriate to the scope and quality standards of the journal?
  2. Is the title appropriate?
  3. Does the paper represent an original, interesting and meaningful contribution to geographical research on Latin America?
  4. Is the paper well-organized?
  5. Are its objectives clearly articulated?
  6. Are its methods adequately described and appropriate to the stated objectives?
  7. Are its conclusions consistent with the stated objectives and well-supported?
  8. Does the paper cite appropriate literature and provide proper credit to existing work on its topic?
  9. What are the particular strengths and weaknesses of the paper, both in terms of content and form?
  10. Is the paper concisely written? Should it be shortened and, if so, how?
  11. Are figures appropriate to the content of the paper, helpful, and well-designed?
  12. Finally, in your cover page, which will be separated from your comments to the author:

    Do you recommend that the paper be a) published as is, b) published following minor revision, c) published following major revision, or d) rejected?

    Your assistance is very much appreciated. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have during the course of your review.