The Horror of Reviewing Journal Articles: A Halloween Guide to Avoiding Reviewer’s Regret

It’s Halloween season, my favorite time of year—and as a horror movie fan, I can’t help but see parallels between the spooky season and one of the most chilling experiences academics face: serving as a journal reviewer. Much like being a character in a horror movie, there are moments when you’re lured into something that seems manageable, only to realize later that you’ve been trapped in a nightmare. Reviewer's regret can creep up on you, leaving you haunted by the decision to take on just one more article. But fear not! With a little strategy (and some lessons from horror classics), you can avoid the dread that often comes with being a reviewer.

1. The Invitation: The Innocuous Email That Lures You In

It starts innocently enough. You get an email from an editor asking you to review a manuscript. The title looks interesting, the abstract promising, and you think, “Why not? It’s only one article.” Little do you know that this is the beginning of your descent into academic horror. Much like characters in a haunted house who hear a strange noise and decide to investigate, you’ve just accepted the invitation into the unknown.

The key here is to pause before diving in. Ask yourself: Do I really have the time? Am I genuinely interested in this article? Or am I being lured by a sense of obligation? Remember, in horror movies, curiosity often kills the cat—or in this case, your free time.

Horror inspiration: Think The Invitation—just because it seems like a harmless invitation doesn’t mean it won’t turn into something you’ll regret later. Make sure you’re not walking into a trap!

2. The Initial Read: Peering Into the Abyss

Once you’ve accepted the review, the real work begins. You sit down to read the manuscript, but as you go deeper into the text, you realize something isn’t quite right. Maybe the research is sloppy, the writing is incoherent, or the methodology is a disaster. It’s like opening a cursed book in a horror movie—the further you read, the more you feel a sense of impending doom.

If you’ve ever found yourself in this situation, you know the feeling. But there’s no turning back now—you’ve committed to providing feedback, and you must push through. The trick here is to remain calm and take it step by step. Break the review into manageable chunks, and don’t let the overwhelming nature of the manuscript get to you.

Horror inspiration: Think Evil Dead—you’ve opened the cursed Necronomicon (or in this case, a poorly written manuscript), and now you need to deal with the consequences. Stay focused, and don’t let it consume you.

3. The Overcommitment: Taking on Too Many Reviews (A.K.A. the Zombie Horde)

You finish one review and think, “That wasn’t so bad.” Then another request comes in. And another. Soon, you’ve said yes to three or four articles in a single month, and you’re feeling overwhelmed, like you’re being chased by a horde of zombies. Each new review feels like one more undead creature gnawing away at your free time and mental energy.

To avoid this horror scenario, set boundaries early on. It’s easy to say yes, especially when the requests come from journals you respect or colleagues you want to support. But remember, just like in a zombie apocalypse, you can’t fight off the horde alone. Saying no doesn’t make you a bad academic—it makes you a survivor.

Horror inspiration: Think World War Z—the zombies (review requests) keep coming, and if you’re not careful, you’ll be overwhelmed. Learn to say no and protect your time!

4. The Never-Ending Revisions: The Ghost That Won’t Leave You Alone

You’ve submitted your review, thinking the nightmare is over. But then the author resubmits the paper with revisions, and you’re asked to review it again. And again. It’s like being haunted by a ghost that just won’t move on—no matter how many times you provide feedback, the manuscript keeps coming back for more.

To avoid this particular academic haunting, be clear in your initial review. Offer detailed, constructive feedback that helps the author address the issues fully. The clearer you are, the less likely you’ll have to deal with endless rounds of revisions. And if it does come back, limit your review to the revised sections—don’t let the ghost drag you back into the entire manuscript unless absolutely necessary.

Horror inspiration: Think The Grudge—once the ghost latches on, it’s hard to get rid of it. Be thorough in your initial review, and hopefully, you won’t have to face it again!

5. The Final Decision: The Dreaded Email from the Editor

After weeks (or months) of reviewing, you finally submit your feedback. But then comes the dreaded email from the editor: “Can you take one more look at this?” It’s the horror movie equivalent of thinking you’ve escaped the haunted house, only for the door to slam shut behind you. You’re back in it, and there’s no getting out until the manuscript is either accepted or rejected.

The best way to survive this stage is to stay firm in your decision. If you believe the article still needs significant work, don’t be afraid to say so. On the flip side, if you think it’s ready, be clear in your recommendation. Either way, your feedback helps the editor make a final decision, so stay confident in your assessment.

Horror inspiration: Think Final Destination—just when you think it’s over, there’s one last scare waiting. Stay vigilant, and make sure your final review is decisive.

Conclusion: Surviving the Reviewer's Nightmare

Being a journal reviewer can be a rewarding experience, but it can also turn into an academic horror story if you’re not careful. The key to surviving is setting boundaries, providing clear feedback, and knowing when to say no. Just like the protagonists in horror movies, we have to be strategic in our decisions if we want to make it out of the review process alive—and without too much regret.