The Royal Society’s journal, Philosophical Transactions (first published in 1665) is often cited as one of the first journals to employ peer review. While different claims about the specifics of when peer review first emerged are common, in the world of research and scientific publishing, everyone agrees that few practices are as integral as peer review.
The Aim and Benefits of Peer Review
An essential component of scholarly research and communications, peer review is designed to assess the quality, validity, credibility, and originality of research publications. Its core purpose is to help maintain the integrity of academic and scientific research outputs by identifying inadequate or faulty research.
A cornerstone of scientific publishing, peer review offers numerous benefits to authors, journals, and reviewers alike. When a scholarly manuscript is submitted for review, the editor of the journal or book series sends it for evaluation. The constructive feedback offered by the expert (peer reviewer) helps authors improve their research.
Additionally, peer review serves as a crucial tool for assessing whether a manuscript aligns with the journal’s aim, scope, and audience. It also helps ensure that editorial decisions are based on expert, independent, and unbiased assessment. Thus, the peer review process is not only critical for maintaining a journal’s integrity but can also enhance its overall value by demonstrating a commitment to featuring original, accurate, and credible work. Finally, peer review supports the professional development of reviewers by keeping them updated about new research within their fields, offering valuable networking opportunities, and improving analytic and writing skills.
Who Qualifies as a Peer Reviewer?
While the qualifications for a peer reviewer may vary depending on the journals’ requirements, most peer reviewers are individuals who consider themselves experts in the specific subject matter they’re reviewing. If you’re considering becoming a peer reviewer, here are some questions to ask yourself:
• Do I have sufficient knowledge of the subject matter?
Assess whether you have the necessary qualifications and expertise in the manuscript’s subject matter. According to Publon’s 2018 Global State of Peer Review, 70 per cent of peer reviewers reject review requests because an article is outside their area of expertise.
• Do I have any conflicts of interest?
Reviewers must maintain impartiality to uphold the integrity of the peer review process. If a reviewer has a personal or professional relationship with the author, including any previous collaborations, it’s imperative to be transparent and inform the editor about a possible conflict of interest.
• Can I meet the review deadline?
Publon’s 2018 Global State of Peer Review revealed that 42 per cent of peer reviewers decline review requests because they are too busy. Since meeting deadlines is essential for ensuring the timely publication of research, reviewers should consider whether they have the time to complete the review within the specified timeframe.
The Peer Review Process
The first stage of the peer review process is editorial assessment. During this stage, the editor of the journal or book series will decide whether the submission has potential for publication and should be sent to reviewers. If the manuscript passes the initial editorial assessment, the editor then assigns it to a qualified peer reviewer, who will evaluate various aspects of the article, including the research methodology, suitable references for the topic of study, language, originality, and its relevance to the journal’s target readership. Once the review is complete, the reviewer can then offer the following suggestions to the editor:
• Accept the article without revisions
• Accept with revisions
• Revise and resubmit
• Not suitable for the journal
In case major revisions are needed, the article may undergo another round of peer review to ensure it meets all the necessary requirements. If the editor is content with the revisions, the article is accepted for publication.
Learn more about peer review with our free guide
Peer Review Week 2023: Theme
Peer Review Week is an annual, community-led event that celebrates the significance of peer review in upholding high research standards. In line with our dedication to supporting publishing best practices, Knowledge E is thrilled to be a part of the steering committee for the 2023 Peer Review Week, which took place from September 25th to 29th.
This year is dedicated to the theme ‘Peer Review and the Future of Publishing’, which is especially pertinent given that new technologies, business models, and digital platforms are reshaping the scholarly publishing landscape. But what does the evolving publishing landscape mean for the future of peer review?
The Future of Peer Review and Technology
Technology’s influence on the future of peer review is expected to include the automation of specific review tasks, streamlining review processes and enhancing efficiency. While AI has already started aiding peer review efforts, especially in areas like plagiarism detection and language editing, many bias and privacy concerns remain prominent among scholars today. Skepticism around the ability of AI to contextualise information and understand nuances in meaning also hinders the reliance on AI within peer review processes. Gradually though, reviewers and researchers ought to be able to train AI to steer clear of these errors in order to lighten the burden of peer reviewers and allow them to evaluate research and data more efficiently.
