How to review an opinion

Abstract

Peer-reviewed journals publish opinions (e.g., editorials, perspectives) as well as research articles. Opinion articles can be both influential and highly cited. In 2009-2024, Restoration Ecology published 268 opinions (11% of articles), more than four out of five other ecology and conservation journals assessed, and these opinions punched above their weight, garnering 14% of all citations. The most-cited opinions include calls to action, questions about basic tenets, and proposed conceptual syntheses. Such papers raise unique challenges for editors and reviewers, who must evaluate manuscript quality without the typical standard of weighing evidence against conclusions. We posit six questions for reviewers of opinions to consider: (1) Are there unreported conflicts of interest? (2) Is the literature review complete or does it cherry pick citations to support the author’s narrative? (3) Can the reviewer build a compelling counterargument that is not sincerely represented? (4) Are citations appropriate for the statements they are purported to support? (5) Does the opinion cite empirical literature, or just other opinions? (6) Is the author misrepresenting dissenting opinion in order to build themselves up? We hope these questions help reviewers, editors, and other readers weigh support for opinion articles and opinionated statements.