You’ve heard the pitches. You’ve given yours. Now it’s time to review and get reviewed. It’s your final opportunity to offer critiques and receive feedback to help make your project, and those of your classmates, just that much stronger before crossing the finish line.

  1. This activity can be done as a class or in small groups.
  2. Set a time limit for the peer review session and then equally divide that time between each of the pitched projects, ensuring everyone gets to hear feedback on their work.
  3. The reviewers should be using the notes they took during the pitches, as well as the guide below. Consider offering tangible help (where possible) so the reviewee can better implement your advice.
  4. The reviewee is encouraged to record or, at least, take notes of the feedback session. You can refer to this guide on receiving criticism if you’d like. Be sure to ask for examples or tangible help (where possible) from the reviewer if you want to implement their advice.
  5. At the end of the peer review session, everyone should have a better sense of how close they are to completing their final project, and have a list of ideas that can help make it even stronger.
  6. Take the time, at home or during the next class, to rework or refine your final project based on the feedback you’ve received. This might feel like a setback or a failure, but it’s just another step towards a better outcome.

Describe

  • What was your first thought when you heard the pitch?
  • Who will be impacted by the scientific research?
  • What is the point of the study?

Analyze

  • What is the name of the study? What’s the research question?
  • How is the study being presented? Is it accurate and reflective of the goal or is it overselling its purpose/value?
  • In your opinion, who is the main benefactor of the study? The environment? Industry? Government? All of the above?
  • Were stakeholders consulted? Do they need to be?
  • Is the research addressing a gap in knowledge or is it improving/deepening existing information?
  • Is the research question big enough? Is it focused? Does it include enough context?
  • Is the research that led to the guiding question full, accurate and properly sourced?
  • Is the research (question or otherwise) free of bias? Is the research question or study trying to pre-determine the outcome?
  • Is the study realistic?
  • Is it missing any important elements?

Interpret

  • Do you think the study will be funded/pursued?
  • What is the aim of the study? To offer a solution? To incent an action? To fix a problem?
  • What message will the study send to the public?
  • Does the study account for social considerations (economics, ethics, politics)?
  • Do you think the study will be effective and impactful?
  • Is there anything confusing that needs clarification?

Evaluate

  • Is the research worthwhile? Is it a good use of resources?
  • What do you like the most about it? What do you dislike?
  • How will the study be received? In the peer review process? In the scientific community? By the media and the public more generally?
  • Can you think of any improvements?
  • Why do you think it will be successful/unsuccessful?