The quality of a collection depends on the content entering its repository. One approach to quality control is to set up a content review process in the system. By implementing content review mechanisms, DLNET hopes to maintain the quality, integrity and pedagogical value of contents in its repository.

DLNET has put in place a two-tier content review system based on reviews by peers and the public. The peer review is a one-time process conducted immediately after a content is submitted while the public review is a continuous process based on the feedback of the public that have used the content.

• Peer-based Review: is based on the assessment of the newly-submitted content for its quality, ease of use, legibility and, educational value. A review form has been prepared to assist the peer reviewer in assessing the content. The returns will be used to determine if the content meets the requirements for publishing over DLNET.
  
  
  
• Public Review: is based on feedback from the public who have used the learning object. The compiled results including annotations by users will be used to rank and identify the content.

By volunteering as a peer-reviewer, you will play an essential role in maintaining the standards of DLNET thereby contributing to NSDL's vision of excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education for all. Serving as a peer-reviewer may benefit you as well. It can get you STEM-wide recognition as an expert in the particular subject area.

As a user, your participation in reviewing and ranking the contents and learning objects available at DLNET will help maintain the quality of the collection and, more importantly, contribute to the continuing development of its collections scope.

DLNET's two-tier content review system is based on review by peers and review by the public. Peer-based review is a one-time process conducted immediately after a learning resource is submitted to DLNET in order to assess its quality, ease of use, legibility and, educational value while Public Review is a continuous process based on feedback from the public who have used the learning object. The later functionality is under development and will be implemented in the near future.

Peer-based Review: The review process will begin as soon as a content is submitted to DLNET for archiving. The following is the sequence of events in the peer review process:

1. Reviewers will be contacted by email as soon as contents matching their areas of interest are submitted to DLNET. Reviewers should note that they were contacted because (i) they volunteered as reviewers by registering at DLNET or (ii) that they were recommended as peers by content submitters.
   
   
2. Reviewers will then be asked to assess the content and rate it using the Content Evaluation Form (sample) provided. Reviewers may be required to login at DLNET to evaluate contents.
   
   
3. The content will be published if it meets reviewers' satisfaction as well as the standards set by DLNET editors.

Public Review: The review process will begin as soon as the content is made available online. The reviewers consist of the general public. The sequence of events is as follows:

1. DLNET users will be asked to review and rank contents that they have downloaded recently. An evaluation form will be provided.
   
   
2. The returns of the evaluation form including user annotations will be compiled and used to rank and identify the content.

The form shown below has been prepared to assist you in reviewing the content based on your area of expertise. Your comments will assist the editors in determining if and how the Learning Object will be published in DLNET.  Your feedback and comments may also be used anonymously to assist authors in correcting, modifying or refining their learning objects prior to re-submission.