1) What is the main question addressed by the research? Is it relevant and interesting?
2) How original is the topic? What does it add to the subject area compared with other published material?
3) Is the paper well written? Is the text clear and easy to read?
4) Are the conclusions consistent with the evidence and arguments presented? Do they address the main question posed?
5) If the author is disagreeing significantly with the current academic consensus, do they have a substantial case? If not, what would be required to make their case credible?
6) If the paper includes tables or figures, what do they add to the paper? Do they aid understanding or are they superfluous?