Peer review needs evidence-based reform, event hears

Workshop participants say contributions, expectations and motivations of players must be spelt out

The process of peer reviewing scholarly publications needs work to clarify the roles of those involved, build capacity and make better use of technology, according to a report of workshops on the topic published by the hosts—the learned academy groups All European Academies and Global Young Academy and the International Association of Scientific, Technical and Medical Publishers.

Trust in peer review is of “paramount importance” as it is “an integral part” of the research process, said the report, published on 18 January. In peer review, academics comment on work that has been submitted for publication or is already published, so that the work can potentially be amended and then accepted for publication by a publisher if it has not already been published.