Club Lead Guide
As a club lead (admin), you play a crucial role in reviewing papers and helping fellow students improve their research. You also help manage club activities.
What You Can Do
Club leads have all member capabilities plus the following:
Claim Papers
Self-assign papers from the review queue
Review Papers
Read papers and provide detailed feedback
Request Revisions
Ask authors to make improvements
Manage Events
Create and edit club events
Post Updates
Share announcements with members
View All Papers
See all submitted papers, not just your own
Note: Club leads cannot make final accept/reject decisions on papers. Only advisors (teachers) can accept, reject, or publish papers.
Review Workflow
Check the Review Queue
Visit the Review Queue to see papers that need reviewers. Papers show how many reviewers they need (max 2 per paper).
Tips:
- •Papers waiting 3+ days are flagged with a warning
- •You can see who else has claimed a paper
- •You cannot claim your own papers
Claim a Paper
Click 'Claim Review' to assign yourself as a reviewer. The paper will appear in your 'My Reviews' list.
Tips:
- •Only claim papers you have time to review
- •Consider your expertise in the subject area
- •Each paper needs 2 reviewers total
Read and Review
Carefully read the paper and add comments. Use the review interface to note specific issues and provide overall feedback.
Tips:
- •Be constructive and specific
- •Note both strengths and areas for improvement
- •Reference specific pages or sections
Submit Your Review
Provide an overall recommendation (Accept, Minor Revisions, Major Revisions, or Reject) and submit your review.
Tips:
- •Your recommendation guides the final decision
- •Include overall comments summarizing your feedback
- •Be fair and objective
Re-Review Revisions
If an author submits a revision, you'll need to re-review it. You'll see the author's revision summary and your previous comments.
Tips:
- •Check if the author addressed your comments
- •Compare the new version to your feedback
- •Update your recommendation if appropriate
The Claim System
WY Researchers uses a self-assignment claim system for reviews. Here's how it works:
- 12 reviewers required: Each paper needs exactly two reviewers before a final decision can be made.
- 2Self-assignment: You choose which papers to review by clicking "Claim Review" - no one assigns you.
- 3Transparency: Everyone can see who has claimed what, promoting accountability.
- 4Continuity: If an author revises their paper, the original reviewers stay assigned and re-review.
Review Best Practices
Be Constructive
- ✓Focus on how to improve, not just what's wrong
- ✓Explain why something needs changing
- ✓Offer specific suggestions
Be Specific
- ✓Reference page numbers and sections
- ✓Quote the text you're commenting on
- ✓Avoid vague statements like "needs work"
Be Fair
- ✓Evaluate the work objectively
- ✓Acknowledge strengths as well as weaknesses
- ✓Apply consistent standards to all papers
Be Timely
- ✓Complete reviews within a reasonable timeframe
- ✓Don't let papers sit unclaimed
- ✓Notify leads if you can't complete a review
Admin Responsibilities
In addition to reviewing papers, club leads help manage the club:
Events Management
Create and manage club events like workshops, meetings, and guest speaker sessions. Access via Admin > Manage Events.
Club Updates
Post announcements and updates for members. Access via Admin > Club Updates.
Competitions
Create and manage research competitions. Access via Admin > Manage Competitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I unclaim a paper I've claimed?
Contact an advisor to unclaim a paper. This should only be done if absolutely necessary.
What if I disagree with the other reviewer?
That's okay! Different perspectives are valuable. The advisor considers both reviews when making the final decision.
How do I become a club lead?
Club lead status is assigned by advisors based on involvement and demonstrated commitment.
Can I review papers from friends?
Yes, but maintain objectivity. Apply the same standards you would to any paper.