Paper author has not included all suggestions in peer review I am peer-reviewing a postgraduate paper. I reviewed the paper and sent off my recommendations for major corrections. Now the paper has come back and the author has only implemented around half of my suggestions.
They restructured the paper as requested, but failed to add some detail when requested in a couple of places, neither did they change the referencing to fall in line with the house style. The paper also has some spelling and grammar errors.
Should I recommend acceptance to the editor anyway? I am rather disappointed at the fact that some specific detail, as requested, was not included, but at the same time I do not want to deter this author and the paper is quite good in its current format. I feel that the parts left out, though not detrimental, should have been included at least for good practice. I am thinking of recommending acceptance with a note along the lines of what I have written above. Or should I be stricter?
The author owns the paper. They should consider any suggestions you make but need not implement any specific recommendation. Give up your &quot;personal&quot; feelings. That isn't your job. Re evaluate the paper on its merits and give it a fair assessment.
You are, of course, allowed to repeat your old suggestions, but it is a mistake to judge it solely on whether all of your suggestions were followed.
Some, but not all, authors will state in a &quot;rebuttal&quot; their reasons for ignoring suggestions. It isn't normally required. Judge the paper as it appears before you. Complain to the editor if you must.
Also consider that some really good suggestions are saved for future work by authors rather than included in the present paper. The work may already be in progress.