Using the Experience of Novice Reviewers to Inform Journal Peer Reviewer Development.

Aim: The aim of this study was to uncover what it is like to be a novice peer reviewer for journals that publish articles that can influence nursing education and/or practice.

Background: Comprehensive and effective approaches to reviewer development, based on reviewer experience, were not reported in the literature.

Method: The study followed a hermeneutic phenomenological approach. Data were collected via personal interviews and a demographic questionnaire.

Results: Eleven novice reviewers, who had reviewed no more than five journal manuscripts, participated in the study. Thematic analysis uncovered five themes: sitting at the grown-up's table, building and using the toolbox, putting in the human factor, assuming this is what you're looking for, and appreciating the experience.

Conclusion: This study is the first to uncover the experience of being a novice journal peer reviewer. Findings can inform the creation of comprehensive development programs to support new and continuing journal peer reviewers.