How to find, grow and retain good reviewers: An experience from Pakistan

Despite criticism and allegations of suppressing innovative ideas, Peer Review is widely cited as central in evaluation of manuscripts submitted to journals for publication. Peer Reviewers along with editors who are known as gatekeepers help improve the quality of the manuscripts. One of the primary responsibilities of the Editor is considered to create and maintain a high quality productive group of reviewers. In order to retain good reviewers, it is essential to give them due respect, recognize their services, refrain from over burdening the good reviewers, have some CME Credit for this activity, look at different ways of rewarding the reviewers i.e. providing good reading material, books, appreciation certificates, post review thanks letters besides elevating the good efficient reviewers to the Editorial Board. Publishing their name at the end of the year, concession in publication charges if they are authors or co-authors in manuscripts received for publication besides awarding distinguished reviewers are some of the measures that can prove fruitful.