Scientific researchers are supposed to contribute to the peer reviewing process of scientific journals. The skill of writing a good referee report is a competence to be acquired in becoming a complete scientist. In this course, students are trained in a practical way in the writing of a report.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT METHOD(S) USED IN THIS COURSE IS WITH RESERVATION. A RE-EMERGENCE OF THE CORONAVIRUS AND NEW COUNTERMEASURES BY THE DUTCH GOVERNMENT MIGHT FORCE COORDINATORS TO CHANGE THE TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT METHODS USED. THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ABOUT THE TEACHING/ASSESSMENT METHOD(S) WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE COURSE SYLLABUS.

There is one opening lecture in which tips and tricks are provided. Next, students write a referee report for a chosen paper. Finally, students read each others’ reports and discuss on them in a closing session, where also the lecturer provides his/her feedback on the reports.

Links to articles with tips for writing referee reports will be made available on the course website.

This skill is only available to research master students who are missing 2 ECTS or less in their study plan in order to graduate. Small ECTS deficits arise if students have taken courses outside UM with different ECTS per course.