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CS 224 Peer Edit Activity (2.5%)

In this activity, you will read and provide feedback on one research proposal written by your
peer. If you do not submit a rough draft, you cannot participate in the peer review activity, and
you will receive an automatic 0 score.

Instructions for Completing a Peer Review for a Classmate

As the reviewer, it is your responsibility to tell the writer which parts of their proposals are really
good and which parts need revision. You are also responsible to offer suggestions for
improvement. You should NOT make corrections to your peer’s paper.

1. Read the first Peer Proposal all the way through to get a feeling for the topic and writing
style.
2. Then reread specific sections of the proposal and answer the questions in the charts
starting on page 2 of this document:
 Type yes, no, or maybe next to the expectation description to indicate if the paper
meets the expectation.
 Add comments to help the writer improve their paper. Your comments need to be
specific, respectful, and constructive. Your teacher and your classmate will read
these.
3. Answer the questions at the end of the document.
4. Save this document and upload it to Blackboard.

If you need additional assistance to revise your paper, contact the Writing Centre.
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APA FORMAT AND TITLE PAGE

Look at the title page, spacing, font, margins, and other formatting. Decide if the paper is
formatted according to APA guideline expectations listed in the chart below.
 If the formatting meets expectations, type YES in the space provided.
 If the formatting does not meet an expectation, type NO.
 If you are unsure, type MAYBE.

Expectations Yes/No/Maybe
The proposal, including the title page, header, and reference page, is in either
Yes
Times New Roman 12-point font OR Calibri 11-point font.
Table of Contents is included Yes
The abstract is single spaced Yes
The remainder of the proposal is double spaced, and each paragraph is indented
Yes
5 spaces (TAB key). There are no added spaces between paragraphs.
Page numbers are in the header at the top right corner. Yes
The title page information is double spaced and centered. Yes
There are two blank lines above and below the title of the essay. Yes
The title
 is in bold
 has “title capitalization” (the first letter of each important word is Yes
capitalized)
 reflects the topic of the essay (not the assignment name)
The title page information is correct, complete, and in this order:
1. Title
2. Student name
Yes
3. Course code section code: Name of Course
4. Professor’s name
5. Due date (formatted as day Month, year)
If you typed NO or MAYBE for any of the above expectations, please type suggestions for
improvement in the white space below.
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PREFATORY SECTION

Read the abstract and introductory paragraph(s) and decide if it meets the expectations listed in
the chart below.
 If the introduction meets expectations, type YES in the space provided.
 If the introduction does not meet an expectation, type NO.
 If you are unsure, type MAYBE.

Expectations Yes/No/Maybe
Paper starts with an abstract Yes
The abstract introduces the topic, purpose and overview of the paper in a short Yes
paragraph (3-7 sentences).
There is sufficient and relevant background information that allows the reader Yes
to understand the topic.
If you typed NO or MAYBE for any of the above expectations, please type suggestions for
improvement in the white space below.

LIT REVIEW

Expectations Yes/No/Maybe
There are at least 3 themes summarized Yes
Each main idea statement begins with an effective transitional element. Yes
6 or more articles are used. Yes
Similarities and Differences are noted Yes
The phrasing is concise. Yes
Word choice is appropriate and at a college level. Yes
Voice is consistent, in third person, and is appropriate for the intended
Yes
audience.
All paraphrases and direct quotes are cited. Citations include the necessary
Yes
elements (author, year)
Research is explained and incorporated well (signal phrases are used and
Yes
evidence is paraphrased well)
A wide variety of sentence structures are used well. Yes
The lit review ends gracefully with a concluding statement. Yes
If you typed NO or MAYBE for any of the above expectations, please type suggestions for
improvement in the white space below.
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RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Expectations YES/NO/MAYBE
Identifies the type of research design (qualitative/quantitative) Yes
Describes population and sample selection Yes
Describes data sources Yes
Outlines procedures for collecting data Yes
Outlines procedures for analyzing data Yes
Discusses informed consent process for human subjects Yes
Discusses study rigor: validity, reliability Yes
States limitations (possible bias or limits in accuracy of description or
Yes
interpretation)
Provides a time schedule Yes
Implications of Study
 Describes benefits of the study Yes
 States how findings will be shared
If you typed NO or MAYBE for any of the above expectations, please type suggestions for
improvement in the white space below.
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REFERENCE PAGE

Look over the reference page and decide if it meets the expectations listed in the chart below.
 If the reference meets expectations, type YES in the space provided.
 If the reference does not meet an expectation, type NO.
 If you are unsure, type MAYBE

Expectations YES/NO/MAYBE
The title (References) is centered and in bold at the top of the last page. Yes
The references
 are listed in alphabetical order
No
 are double spaced with no additional spaces between entries
 have hanging indents.
Author names are formatted correctly: Last name + comma + first
initial(s). Yes
 If there are two or more authors, an & is used
Dates are formatted correctly: (year, month day). Yes
Article and source titles follow APA guidelines for capitalization and
Yes
italics.
URLs or DOIs are provided for sources. Yes
Most sources are within a 7-year date range of this year and are reliable. No
Every source listed in the references matches a citation in the paper. Yes
If you typed NO or MAYBE for any of the above expectations, please type suggestions for
improvement in the white space below.
- Extra space between the references title and actual references.
- More than 2 sources older than 7 years.
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PEER REVIEW BACKGROUND

 The peer review requires you to closely read and analyze the proposed project and determine
its feasibility or viability.
 If the proposal is incomplete, vague, poorly written, or incorrectly framed, you may not be
able to answer every question. In that case, explain WHY you cannot answer and say what
the proposal author must provide to make it possible to establish the SMART goals.
 Some of the questions may seem repetitive; however, answering each in full will ensure a
thorough analysis of your partner's first draft.
 This is a challenging peer review but doing it will help you to clarify what you need to do in
your own project (in addition to helping your fellow student).

II. PEER REVIEW QUESTIONS

Specific

1. Is the topic manageable enough that the proposal author can feasibly offer a credible,
thorough response or solution? Why or why not?

- The topic of investigating the relationship between sugar consumption and dental decay
appears to be manageable given the existing body of literature and available research
methodologies. The proposal outlines a systematic approach to conducting a comprehensive
literature review, meta-analysis, and data synthesis, which are appropriate methods for
addressing the research questions. Additionally, the proposal suggests utilizing established
quality assessment tools to evaluate the credibility of included studies. However, the
feasibility of offering a credible and thorough response depends on the availability of
sufficient and relevant literature, as well as the expertise and resources of the proposal
author. Conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis can be time-consuming and
requires rigorous methodological adherence to ensure the reliability of findings. Therefore,
while the topic is manageable with the proposed approach, it may require careful planning,
collaboration, and resources to execute effectively.

Agreed Upon

1. Is the proposed audience relevant to the stated problem or opportunity? Why or why not?

- The proposed audience, which includes individuals susceptible to dental decay, oral health
professionals, policymakers, and researchers in the field of dentistry and public health, is
highly relevant to the stated problem of dental decay and the impact of sugar consumption on
oral health. These stakeholders have a vested interest in understanding the relationship
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between sugar intake and dental caries risk and can benefit from evidence-based
recommendations for prevention and management. Therefore, the proposed audience aligns
well with the objectives of the research proposal.

2. How is this topic relevant to the proposal author?

- The topic of investigating the role of sugars in dental decay is likely relevant to the proposal
author as they have a background and interest in oral health, dentistry, public health, and
related fields. The proposal represents a scholarly endeavor or research project undertaken by
the author to contribute to the existing body of knowledge in this area. Additionally, the
authors have personal and professional motivations for exploring this topic, such as a desire
to address a prevalent public health issue, inform clinical practice, or advocate for policy
changes related to sugar consumption and oral health.