The ups and downs of peer review.
This article traces the history of peer review of scientific publications, plotting the development of the process from its inception to its present-day application. We discuss the merits of peer review and its weaknesses, both perceived and real, as well as the practicalities of several major proposed changes to the system. It is our hope that readers will gain a better appreciation of the complexities of the process and, when serving as reviewers themselves, will do so in a manner that will enhance the utility of the exercise. We also propose the development of an international on-line training program for accreditation of potential referees.
Benos
Dale J
DJ
Department of Physiology, Nutrition, and Vision Sciences, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.
Bashari
Edlira
E
Chaves
Jose M
JM
Gaggar
Amit
A
Kapoor
Niren
N
LaFrance
Martin
M
Mans
Robert
R
Mayhew
David
D
McGowan
Sara
S
Polter
Abigail
A
Qadri
Yawar
Y
Sarfare
Shanta
S
Schultz
Kevin
K
Splittgerber
Ryan
R
Stephenson
Jason
J
Tower
Cristy
C
Walton
R Grace
RG
Zotov
Alexander
A
D005260:Female; D049670:History, 17th Century; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010380:Peer Review / Q000592:standards*; D011287:Prejudice; D011643:Publishing / Q000266:history* / Q000592:standards; D012941:Social Responsibility