title: Ensuring the Quality, Fairness, and Integrity of Journal Peer Review: A Possible Role of Editors.
abstract: A growing body of literature has identified potential problems that can compromise the quality, fairness, and integrity of journal peer review, including inadequate review, inconsistent reviewer reports, reviewer biases, and ethical transgressions by reviewers. We examine the evidence concerning these problems and discuss proposed reforms, including double-blind and open review. Regardless of the outcome of additional research or attempts at reforming the system, it is clear that editors are the linchpin of peer review, since they make decisions that have a significant impact on the process and its outcome. We consider some of the steps editors should take to promote quality, fairness and integrity in different stages of the peer review process and make some recommendations for editorial conduct and decision-making.
authors: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Box 12233, Mail Drop CU 03, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA. resnikd@niehs.nih.gov.
authors: David B
authors: DB
authors: Resnik
authors: National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA.
authors: Susan A
authors: SA
authors: Elmore
mesh_terms: D015982:Bias; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000941:ethics* / Q000592:standards; D003657:Decision Making / Q000941:ethics*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D035081:Editorial Policies; D006801:Humans; D017712:Peer Review, Research / Q000941:ethics* / Q000592:standards; D000068616:Professionalism; D011643:Publishing / Q000941:ethics / Q000592:standards; D012586:Science / Q000941:ethics* / Q000592:standards; D012935:Social Justice
keywords: Bias; Editors; Ethics; Fairness; Integrity; Peer review; Publication; Quality; Reliability
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