The qualitative methodology: Preparedness and experiences of journal reviewers

Abstract

Reviewers are the gatekeepers of knowledge dissemination and promote the scientific validity of research. However, the literature indicates that authors often receive questionable feedback on qualitative manuscripts. This qualitative descriptive study sought to explore the preparedness and experiences of reviewers of psychology journals. Informants were a purposive sample of 27 psychology journal reviewers. They completed open-ended questions on their preparation and experiences reviewing qualitative manuscripts submitted to journals and the recommendations they would share with authors. Thematic analysis indicated preparedness for self-perceptions of novice, emerging versus expert, and review experiences to suggest trivialisation versus invitation and acceptance. For publication success, reviewers perceived a need for qualitative research authors to strengthen their introduction sections, making the study case and method section demonstrate familiarity with their specific qualitative research approach. These findings also suggest a need for continuous qualitative methodology education and reviewer vetting to strengthen qualitative manuscript reviews by psychology journals for scholarly equity and inclusiveness.