For any first-time researcher, the Edited Guide may seem like the Holy Grail of the guide itself. However, before your entry makes it to the other side, it has its own Bridge Perilous to cross - and that is Peer Review.

Though it may seem like a deceptively simple bridge to cross, it is a veritable Rubicon to those who dare cross without having read the explicit instructions at the beginning. However, it need not be such a torturous journey. It can be incredibly easy, and, yes, believe it or not, good fun!

So how does little me make the first step?

Example made from others can useful to you be, young Researcher - much learn you will have!

Indeed, on the front page, there are five examples of what sort of style and quality you will have to aim at. You will also notice the fancy headers and coding too - we'll come to that later. Now have a read through the Commandments of the Edited Guide - the Writing Guidelines.

The Writing Guidelines

Although the fictional h2g2 was 'wildly inaccurate', this h2g2 is very much in the real world. It is for real people, and its aim is to provide an accurate, albeit irreverent encyclopaedia. As a result, there must be some consistency between entries. These Guidelines ensure that. Read them carefully, and refer to them often.

Now let's have a look at Peer Review (PR) itself.

What Happens There?

Peer Review is a system by which finished entries are commented on, with the emphasis on finished. Fellow members of the h2g2 community will offer advice, constructive critique and in some cases, suggest a move to the Writing Workshop - more about this in a bit. You may also notice just how busy it is. You may notice, in addition, that any author who submits an entry that doesn't adhere to the Writing Guidelines will be told quite plainly to remove it from Peer Review. Life is sometimes harsh - and as art imitates life, so is the Peer Review forum.

You will also notice a huge amount of text that explains just how Peer Review works - not only for authors, but also for those who comment on the entry. Read this too - and very carefully. Take note of this bit especially - the 'Important Note'. As the name befits, it is very important that you read this bit. Those who don't risk ridicule - and harsh though it may sound, rightly so. You must read the rules before you submit.

But what about this Writing Workshop thing then?

Click on over to the Writing Workshop, and you will find a similar forum to Peer Review. You will probably notice just how much more quiet it is in here than in Peer Review.

This is where your first solo entry should go. As the pace of commenting here is less frantic than PR, then you may have to wait a while before anyone says anything. Patience, little one!

Also, since this forum is aimed for the works-in-progress, advice can be sought on structure, stylistic points and grammar etc.

That sounds far too junior for me - I wanna play with the big boys!

As one cannot build a house starting with roof - you start from basics must!

The Writing Workshop is where entries are groomed for PR - instead of thinking of it as a primary school - think of it as a Ladies Finishing School, where the airs and graces of the Edited Guide are embellished onto your fine entry, grooming it for the society party that is Peer Review.

Ok - I've written/seen something good, what do I do next?

Double-check it against the Writing Guidelines. If it fits, then onto the Writing Workshop. If it doesn't, then rewrite it.

If it's someone else's entry, and they don't know that you're thinking of hitting the all too tempting 'Submit for Review' button, then it is wise to firstly check if they're still around. Researchers come and go as they please in h2g2, and some do the latter for long periods of time. As a rule of thumb, if they haven't posted to h2g2 in the last two months, then consider them as having left the building. This is important, as if the entry needs some changes, then the author won't be around to change them. Now ask yourself - does it hold up against the Writing Guidelines? If it doesn't, then don't consider submitting it. If it does, and the author's still around, post to their space to suggest putting it into review. If the author isn't around, then be cautious, and submit it to the Writing Workshop.

They suggested changes!?! But that's like cutting off me own arm!

Patience! These things take time - and you must be flexible. Make changes to the text as you see fit. If several other distinguished peers make the same observation, then that something probably has to be changed. But as with anything, balance is the key. Remember that you are writing this piece, but also, since you put it in a Review forum, expect it to be reviewed.

Someone's suggested I put this into Peer Review - what do I do now?

Excellent! Young Researcher, well you do to obstacle the overcome first - now comes bigger challenge... Peer Review!

Your entry has matured into a fine example of the Writing Workshop. Now it is time to introduce it to the party. First, remove the entry from the Writing Workshop. Then use the 'Submit for Review' button to put it into PR. Write a short sentence about the entry and provide a link to the original Writing Workshop thread - which should be now below the entry itself.

Now hit the submit button, and cross your fingers...

Further Advice

For further advice on the airs and graces of Peer Review itself - 'Azara's Personal Guide to Peer Review' is a great piece on exactly how to behave when there.