I am new to the "reviewer world".
I received an invitation to review a manuscript for one of the open access journal from IEEE.
When I download and open the manuscript, I realized that seems like it is already in the second (or third) revision, with a lot of changes (a highlight version of manuscript), point by point reply and response letter to the reviewer. But I am not one of the previous reviewer.
So my question is: Is this normal?
And, under what circumstances that the editor would find someone new and not from the previous reviewers to review a revised manuscript?
Thanks.
Normally, the second revision is done by the first reviewers but sometimes, the first reviewer didn't send his revision in time or apologize or the editor want additional opinion about the work, so he send the work to a new reviwer
Dear Wei Chien Benny Chin , this happens sometimes when a manuscript has received two contradictory reviews from the original reviewers (e.g. 1) great paper, accept with minor changes; 2) lack of novelty, reject). In such a case the Editor can ask a third reviewer to act as an adjudicative reviewer to solve this problem. However, this is normally clearly indicated in the cover letter (e-mail). Thus your particular case is somewhat strange if this has not been indicated by the Editor.
It also happens occasionally when one of the original reviewers is no longer available. I would describe it as normal, but not common.
Wei Chien Benny Chin , It is normal and for one of the journals I review for, it seems a bit common. Upon sending review comments, some systems ask if reviewers are ready to carry out review after the authors make revisions. Some people do not agree to, in that case, editors have to assign to a new reviewer.
I've noticed such situation. The journal asked reviewers to make revisions in settled date, if some of them was late the journal send the article for the revision to other (new) reviewer.
Of course, this is a strange situation and also inconvenient for the author
In my experience this is not normal. Normally, the reviewers are asked in the review process if they are willing to check and approved the revised version of the paper. This is often the case if one or more reviewers recommended "major revision". Sending the revised manuscript to a new reviewer at this stage is rather uncommon.
Dear Wei Chien Benny Chin
YES it is completely normal and I agree 100% with the commentary written by Frank T. Edelmann
Kind regards
Dear Benny,
I have not seen such a case in my 30+ years working in research & development. However, it could be there is a clash in the opinions of the reviewers and the editor still believes that the paper has key contributions and merit a second opinion.
On the other hand, perhaps one of the reviewers is not responding after a prolonged period, for some reasons. Nevertheless, sending off a revised manuscript, at this phase, to a new referee is rather unusual.
Prof. Dr. Mazin A. M. Al Janabi
Full Professor of Finance & Banking and Financial Engineering
EGADE Business School, Tecnologico de Monterrey,
Santa Fe Campus, Mexico City, Mexico.
Benny, it may be the case that one of the previous reviewers is indisposed or that the editor wishes to hear from a third reviewer (with the supposition that there were already two reviewers for the first round of reviews). You may also have been chosen because of your expertise in the area or because another, independent opinion is being sought.
Wei Chien Benny Chin normally this happens only when a journal has received two very different reviewers reports, e.g. "reject" and "accept as is". In such cases the Editors often send out the manuscript to a third revoewer and ask him / her to at as an adjudicative reviwer.
It is normal or necessary in some cases. If some of the initial reviewer is not available for any reason the manuscript needs to be referredreviewersthe to a new reviewer to cause excessive delay in review process.
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