Q: How to respond to questions by reviewers?
After reading through the reviewers comments, I found myself a little bit confused about how to address certain comments. When a reviewer asks me a question, should I only respond to the question or should I revise the manuscript according to the question too? For example: What is the scale used in the microscopic observations? From where did you get the pathogens used in this study? Does the expression "....." mean this or that? Should I respond to these comments in the response letter only or is this another way of asking me to add or clarify this information?
Thank you for writing to us. Responding to peer reviewer comments requesting for revisions (major or minor) is indeed a daunting task sometimes. Although this requires some effort, it contributes to improving your paper, making it worthwhile!
Whether a response should acknowledge the comment alone or warrant changes in the manuscript would solely depend on the nature of the reviewer comment. In case it is a general comment, you may proceed with simply acknowledging it. For the questions shared by you, we’d suggest that you provide and explanation and also ask whether the relevant text needs to be included in the manuscript for added clarity. Once you receive a clarification, you may include the text in the manuscript, if required.
We would also suggest that you go through the following resources for added insights in this regard:
- VIDEO: How to respond to peer reviewer comments
- How to respond to comments by peer reviewers
- How To Respond To Peer Review Comments?
Please feel free to get back to us in case you need added clarity in any regard.
Responding to questions from reviewers, whether for a paper, project, or any evaluation, is an important process. Take the time to understand each question or comment. Highlight key points that need addressing. Start your responses with a polite acknowledgment of the reviewer’s feedback. Thank them for their time and insights. Address each question directly and clearly. Use straightforward language to ensure your points are easily understood. Support your responses with data, citations, or examples. If you made changes based on their suggestions, explain how those changes improve your work. If a reviewer points out a limitation that you hadn’t considered, acknowledge it. Explain how you plan to address it in future work or why it may not be feasible to address it now.
If a comment is unclear, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification in a respectful manner. This shows that you’re engaged and eager to improve geometry dash world. Ensure your responses are free of typos and grammatical errors. A polished response reflects professionalism.
This content belongs to the Journal submission & peer review Stage