Recenzentami

Recenzentami is the instrumental plural form of the Polish noun recenzent, meaning "reviewer" or "examiner." The term refers to individuals who evaluate the quality, validity, or significance of a work, proposal, or performance. In Polish academia and publishing, recenzentami denotes those who perform independent assessments that inform decisions by editors, committees, or funding bodies.

In scholarly publishing, recenzentami act as peer reviewers for journals and conference proceedings. They assess methods, data integrity, originality, ethics, and clarity, and provide written opinions. Editors use their recommendations to decide on acceptance, revision, or rejection, occasionally in blind or open review systems.

In higher education and research funding, recenzentami evaluate doctoral theses, habilitation documents, grant proposals, and fellowship applications. Their reports contribute to the judgment of committees or funding bodies and may be complemented by follow-up reviews or site visits.

Selection and professional conduct: recenzentami are typically recognized experts in relevant fields. They should avoid conflicts of interest, maintain confidentiality, and strive for objective, constructive feedback. Depending on the context, they may be compensated or volunteer.

Challenges and reforms: peer review can be slow and variable in quality, prompting discussions about transparency, standardization, and open review practices. The term recenzentami remains a neutral descriptor for those performing evaluative reviews in various domains.