Extension Staff Process
Credibility comes from rigorous review. Engaging your peers in the creation of new educational resources is a productive way to ensure unbiased, research-based tools that can be trusted by Illinois Extension audiences. The Extension Peer Reviewed Publications process will help you determine if your publication is a good fit for this pathway and provide the tools and support that you need to bring your project to fruition. This system doesn’t replace existing procedures for program-specific review processes. If you intend to utilize your content for an academic journal, please complete that project first before beginning Extension’s process.
Decision Tree
This decision tree will help the author determine whether the peer review process is appropriate for a publication. Start with the checklist and use the results in the decision tree. This peer review process is complementary to the 4-H and other program area systems for peer-reviewed curriculum and program development. If you have questions about which system to use, please consult with your program leader or supervisor.
Part 1: Qualities that make the peer-reviewed publication process appropriate.
- Educational material is intended as a reference, with an expected “shelf life” of 12 months or more.
- On controversial or contested topics that aren’t considered “time-sensitive.”
- Presents scientific evidence.
Part 2: Qualities that may make the peer-reviewed publication process inappropriate.
- Content is time-sensitive.
- Content is likely to need updating regularly.
- Content presents experiential information rather than scientific evidence.
- Content presents information available from government or agency sources (use technical review instead).
Process Outline
Follow the process outline established by Extension leadership to move the publication through steps of production and completion.
Step 1: Author determines need for peer review.
Author will determine whether the publication will be peer-reviewed using the decision tree and through consultation with their senior leader.
Step 2: Author develops and finalizes content.
Author drafts content.
Author identifies two reviewers, makes requests, and distributes content and review forms to reviewers.
Reviewers return completed forms and comments to author.
Author updates content, does final review following the author checklist.
Author provides final opportunity for program leader to review if requested.
Step 3: Author submits publication for production.
Author submits publication to the Marketing and Communications through a document creation project request: go.illinois.edu/MarketingRequest
Author uses project submission form and submits request, including checklist document, word file, graphs, charts, photos, images, requests for translation, and any special instructions.
Step 4: MarCom team prepares and publishes publication.
MarCom completes final proof and formats design.
Proof is provided to author for final approval.
Proof is returned and document is updated.
Pubs+ team is notified and uploads document to their website.
MarCom assigns and completes any related promotional work when needed.
Step 5: Author submits publications to IDEALS.
Author submits the completed publication to IDEALS for library cataloging.
Keep track of the progress of your project, provide resources to your peers, and complete the steps toward seeing your peer-reviewed publication fully realized. The forms are fillable online and can be saved as PDFs for printing. If you have trouble filling out the form in a web browser or on mobile, download the form and open it in Adobe Acrobat.
Find Extension Publications
Visit the Illinois Extension online publications storefront and browse a range of technical and educational books, field guides, fact sheets, and other resources.