Peer review guidelines

Educational content on the OSU Extension website shows an insignia when the content is peer-reviewed. This means the material has been reviewed by qualified, independent subject-matter experts.

Peer review applies to OSU Extension Catalog publications, articles and some multimedia. One-time or limited-use resources such as podcast episodes, newsletters, meeting handouts and public relations materials are not peer reviewed.

The majority of authors on peer-reviewed Extension content are Extension faculty from Oregon State University, with the exception of Pacific Northwest publications, which are produced cooperatively by the three land-grant universities (Oregon State University, Washington State University, University of Idaho).

OSU Extension educational content falls under two different levels of peer review, indicated by color.

Orange level

Gray level

Note: Peer review is not required for website materials outside of the OSU Extension Catalog, such as featured questions, which do not bear the insignia. These may still be reviewed periodically for accuracy and currency.

Orange level

The purpose of peer review at this level is to bring the same intellectual rigor to Extension content as is expected of peer-reviewed journal articles. Peer-reviewed Extension content typically focuses on practical applications of research or other science- and evidence-based recommendations and practices. The commitment by authors, reviewers and administrators to the rigorous and qualified review of educational resources is no less than that brought to academic journal articles.

OSU Extension Catalog content at this level is reviewed by at least two qualified, independent subject-matter experts. Reviewers are fluent in the subject of the content and familiar with the the intended audience. Peer reviewers are asked to review the material and include specific, objective suggestions to help authors improve the content. Authors have the responsibility to incorporate or reject suggestions and to revise the content to the satisfaction of reviewers and their Extension program leader.

Peer reviews are managed by the Extension program leaders or people they designate, who confirm completion in writing to Extension Communications before publishing. If content receives a substantial (over 30%) change in a future revision, another peer review occurs unless a written confirmation from the Extension program leader states it is not needed.

Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Extension and Family and Community Health Extension materials must undergo a blind review (called “referee-review”) for never-before-published materials. They include at least three peer reviewers from any state in the country. The OSU College of Agricultural Sciences will add other reviewers as necessary, and reviewers for Family and Community Health Extension must be external to OSU.

Pacific Northwest Extension Catalog

Pacific Northwest Extension educational content is reviewed by qualified, independent subject-matter experts in each state (Oregon, Washington and Idaho). Extension Communications works with the other states to manage the peer review process. For pieces that are revised annually, authors manage the review process with known reviewers (no blind review).

Oregon Sea Grant Catalog

Oregon Sea Grant Catalog materials are typically first published as articles through peer-reviewed journals, and then access to a document is provided either by checking out the article via the National Sea Grant Library, or through an Open Access direct link or downloadable PDF. Oregon Sea Grant only posts Open Access articles. Oregon Sea Grant also publishes Extension technical documents; Sea Grant manages the review process and confirms the incorporation of revisions on these documents.

Gray level

OSU Extension Service Catalog educational content that bears this insignia has been reviewed by at least one other person with recognized subject-matter expertise. Peer review of this type catches any potential inaccuracies, clarifies writing and receives another perspective.

The authors document the reviewers’ names for internal purposes and mark that it has been peer-reviewed. The material displays the insignia when it is published on the website.

Note: Never-before-published materials contributed equally by co-authors goes through the orange-level peer review process (see above).

Food Hero recipes

Food Hero-tested recipes follow criteria and include a number of recipes that have been “kid-approved” (>10,000 surveys). Quantity recipes have been analyzed to meet USDA meal pattern requirements for schools and child centers. Learn more about Food Hero's research and evaluation.

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