JOFDL is open to new reviewers to ensure the quality of our double-anonymous review process. This is an excellent way for junior academics, PhD and advanced students, as well as more experienced faculty, to gain insight into the quality outputs of the journal, whilst also doing a valuable service to the broader community. We aim to spread the load and rarely ask anyone to review more than two articles each year (unless you want more!).  Register with the journal (https://jofdl.nz/index.php/JOFDL/user/register) and ensure you have clicked on the last box "Yes, I would like to be contacted with requests to review submissions to this journal." Once you have gained access, it is essential to complete your profile, including a short biography, your affiliations, your ORCID number (where available) and your key areas of interest. This ensures we can direct submissions to the correct reviewers. If you are already registered as a reader or author, please also consider becoming a reviewer. If you have any questions about reviewing for academic journals, feel free to email jofdl-editor@flanz.org.nz Thank you, and we look forward to enhancing scholarship together!

Guidance For Reviewers

From June 2025, JOFDL has implemented a refreshed framework for submissions, drawing inspiration from Ernest Boyer's influential 1992 redefinition of scholarship. Boyer's work, which broadened the traditional understanding of academic endeavour beyond discovery, resonates deeply with the multifaceted nature of open, flexible, and distance learning (OFDL). We believe this framework will better capture the diverse contributions of our scholars and foster a more holistic appreciation of their work.

Reviewers are expected to align their reviews with this framework.

We invite submissions across four distinct categories, each grounded in Boyer's typology of scholarship

 

 Scholarship of Discovery

This category represents the conventional notion of empirical research. It encompasses original research that advances the knowledge base of open, flexible, and distance learning. Submissions in this area present new theoretical insights, empirical findings, or methodological advancements that contribute to our understanding of OFDL phenomena, practices, and outcomes. This is the traditional domain of research, focusing on uncovering new knowledge and expanding the intellectual frontiers of the field.

Reviewer Checklist for Scholarship of Discovery:

• Originality: Does the submission present novel ideas, findings, or methods?
• Significance: Does the research address a critical gap in the existing body of research or offer significant implications for the field?
• Rigour: Are the research design, methodology, and data analysis sound and appropriate for the research questions?
• Evidence: Are the claims made in the conclusion supported by robust evidence and logical argumentation?
• Clarity: Is the research question clearly articulated, and are the findings presented clearly and understandably?
• Contribution: Does the submission genuinely advance the knowledge base of OFDL? Ethical Considerations: Were appropriate ethical guidelines followed in the conduct of the research?
• Authorship: Allowing for the role of a copyeditor to support the final submission, do you believe this work is written appropriately for scholarly publication?

Scholarship of Integration

The Scholarship of Integration focuses on synthesising existing knowledge to reveal new interpretations, connections, or applications relevant to OFDL. Submissions in this category go beyond simply summarising; they critically analyse, interpret, and connect disparate theories, concepts, or findings from various disciplines or sub-fields to create a more comprehensive understanding of complex issues within OFDL. This might involve interdisciplinary reviews, conceptual frameworks, or meta-analyses that bring together previously disconnected ideas.

Reviewer Checklist for Scholarship of Integration:

• Syntheses: Does the submission effectively synthesise diverse sources of information?
• Coherence: Does it establish clear and logical connections between disparate ideas or findings?
• Insight: Does the integration lead to novel insights, interpretations, or a more comprehensive understanding of OFDL?
• Scope: Is the scope of the integration appropriate and well-defined?
• Criticality: Does the submission critically evaluate and synthesise the integrated knowledge, rather than merely presenting it?
• Relevance: Is the integrated knowledge directly relevant and applicable to the field of OFDL?
• Structure: Is the argument well-structured and easy to follow?
• Authorship: Allowing for the role of a copyeditor to support the final submission, do you believe this work is written appropriately for scholarly publication?

Scholarship of Application (Engagement)

This category emphasises the application of knowledge to address real-world problems and challenges within open, flexible, and distance learning. Submissions here showcase how theoretical understanding or research findings are translated into practical solutions, innovative practices, or effective interventions that benefit learners, educators, institutions, or communities in OFDL contexts. This includes action research, case studies of practical implementations, evaluations of programmes or courses, or descriptions of effective pedagogical approaches. It is about connecting theory with practice and demonstrating the impact of academic work.

Reviewer Checklist for Scholarship of Application (Engagement):

• Relevance: Does the application described address a significant problem or need within OFDL?
• Impact: Is there evidence of positive impact or potential for positive impact on practice, policy, or community?
• Theoretical Grounding: Is the application informed by relevant theories or research findings?
• Transferability: Are the findings or lessons learned transferable to other OFDL contexts?
• Documentation: Are the process, implementation, and outcomes of the application being described clearly and thoroughly documented?
• Evaluation: Is there evidence of critical reflection and evaluation of the application's effectiveness?
• Collaboration: (If applicable) Is there evidence of meaningful engagement with stakeholders or practitioners?
• Authorship: Allowing for the role of a copyeditor to support the final submission, do you believe this work is written appropriately for scholarly publication?

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)

The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) focuses on the systematic inquiry into teaching and learning processes within open, flexible, and distance environments. Submissions in this category explore innovative pedagogical approaches, curriculum design, assessment strategies, or the use of technology to enhance learning in OFDL. This involves a rigorous investigation of teaching practices and their impact on student learning, going beyond anecdotal evidence to contribute to a deeper understanding of effective pedagogy in our unique context.

Reviewer Checklist for Scholarship of Teaching and Learning:

• Focus on Learning: Is the primary focus on understanding and improving student learning?
• Teaching Innovation: Does the submission describe an innovative or effective teaching approach?
• Systematic Inquiry: Is there evidence of systematic investigation and analysis of teaching and/or learning?
• Data/Evidence: Are claims about learning outcomes supported by appropriate data or evidence?
• Generalisability: Are the findings generalisable or transferable to other OFDL teaching contexts?
• Reflection: Does the submission demonstrate critical reflection on the teaching and learning process?
• Contribution: Does it contribute to the knowledge base of effective teaching and learning in OFDL?
• Contextualisation: Is the OFDL context clearly described and considered in the pedagogical approach?
• Authorship: Allowing for the role of a copyeditor to support the final submission, do you believe this work is written appropriately for scholarly publication?

 

We believe these four categories will provide a robust and inclusive framework for showcasing the diverse and impactful scholarship in open, flexible, and distance learning. We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions.