Aim: This scoping review examined development strategies for preparing reviewers to critically appraise the content of manuscripts submitted to peer-reviewed journals.
Background: The journal peer review process is the crux of building the science of nursing education to inform teaching and learning.
Method: Using the Joanna Briggs Institute procedure for scoping reviews, five databases were searched for articles published in English in peer-reviewed health sciences journals between 2012 and 2022 that included strategies for developing journal peer reviewers.
Results: Of the 44 articles included in the review, a majority were commentaries (52%) published by medicine (61%), followed by nursing (9%) and multidisciplinary journals (9%). Reviewer development strategies aligned with three themes: pedagogical approaches, resources, and personal practices.
Conclusion: Although multiple disciplines addressed peer reviewer development, a comprehensive and effective approach was not reported in the reviewed literature. The findings can inform a multilevel reviewer development program led by academic nurse educators.
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