A Referee Primer for Early Career Astronomers

TL;DR

This paper provides early career astronomers with guidance on effective refereeing, emphasizing best practices and considerations to improve fairness and efficiency in the peer review process.

Contribution

It offers a structured primer for early career researchers to develop effective refereeing skills, addressing a gap in formal training.

Findings

Highlights key considerations for referees

Provides best practices for fair and efficient reviewing

Serves as a training tool for early career astronomers

Abstract

Refereeing is a crucial component of publishing astronomical research, but few professional astronomers receive formal training on how to effectively referee a manuscript. In this article, we lay out considerations and best practices for referees. This document is intended as a tool for early career researchers to develop a fair, effective, and efficient approach to refereeing.