PHD Discussions Logo

Ask, Learn and Accelerate in your PhD Research

Question Icon Post Your Answer

Question Icon

Is the manuscript free of minor errors and does it adhere to the target publication’s formatting and citation guidelines?

I often struggle with concluding my reviews. Should it simply restate the points, or does it have a more nuanced role? Specifically, how do we formulate a final assessment that is both clear and valuable in specifying the book's ideal audience and contribution?

 

All Answers (1 Answers In All)

By Varun Answered 1 year ago

A powerful conclusion is your final, synthesized verdict, not a rehash. I use it to clearly answer: "So what?" Based on the evidence presented, state the book's definitive strength and its primary limitation. Then, crucially, specify which scholars will benefit most for instance, "This is essential for historians of early modern law but may offer fewer new insights for social theorists." This targeted guidance is incredibly valuable for our time-poor academic community. I've seen that this final service to the reader is what often gets a review cited and appreciated

Your Answer