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. OSU Extension educational content undergoes one of two peer-review processes: double-blind or nonblind.

Peer review applies to OSU Extension educational content and some multimedia. Limited-use and time-dated resources such as podcast episodes, newsletter issues and webinar recordings are not peer reviewed.

The majority of authors on peer-reviewed Extension content are Extension professionals 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, and the University of Idaho).

Peer review process

The purpose of peer review is to bring intellectual rigor to Extension content, and to ensure content is accurate and effective for the intended audience. 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 Extension educational resources is no less than that brought to academic journal articles.

Reviewers are fluent in the subject of the content and familiar with 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 documented and managed by the Extension program leaders or people they designate, who confirm completion to Extension Communications before publishing. If content receives a substantial change in interpretation or relevance of the content in a future revision, another peer review occurs unless a confirmation from the Extension program leader states it is not needed.

When complete, content is marked as peer-reviewed and displays the specific peer-review track's insignia when it is published on the website.

Double-blind track

Nonblind track

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

Double-blind peer review

OSU Extension educational content at this level is reviewed by two qualified, independent subject-matter experts. Their identities and comments, as well as the author's identity, remain anonymous.

Content is suitable for double-blind review if it includes:

  • Original research
  • Management recommendations
  • Regulatory aspects
  • Controversial material
  • Policy-related information
  • Industry standards

Reviewers external to Extension or OSU are sought. If Pacific Northwest focused, reviewers in Washington or Idaho are identified.

Nonblind peer review

This is the standard track for OSU Extension educational content. Content that bears this insignia has been reviewed by at least one qualified, independent subject-matter expert. The author and peer reviewer identities are known and communication is encouraged.

Pacific Northwest Extension Catalog

Pacific Northwest Extension educational content is reviewed by qualified, independent subject-matter experts in each state (Oregon, Washington and Idaho). The lead state manages the peer review process, and the lead state's communication team facilitates the PNW review process. For pieces that are revised annually, authors manage the review process with known reviewers.

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.

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.

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