Should psychologists sign their reviews? Some thoughts and some data

Area of Science:

• Psychological Science
• Scientific Publishing
• Research Ethics

Background:

• The Open Science Movement (OSM) advocates for increased transparency throughout the scientific process.
• Psychological science has benefited from the adoption of OSM principles.
• The current study examines the implications of transparency within the peer-review process.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the potential benefits and costs of implementing signed reviews in scientific publishing.
• To assess faculty members' experiences and perspectives on signing peer reviews.
• To investigate whether increased transparency in reviews aligns with Open Science principles.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to 358 faculty members.
• The survey collected data on their experiences and views regarding signed peer reviews.
• Data analysis focused on identifying benefits, costs, and potential for retaliation.

Main Results:

• Survey results supported initial intuitions regarding the benefits of signed reviews.
• Increased accountability through signed reviews may enhance civility, care, and thoughtfulness.
• Fears of reviewer retaliation appear to be somewhat exaggerated.

Conclusions:

• There are substantial benefits to increasing the practice of reviewers signing their reviews.
• The potential for retaliation is less prevalent than commonly perceived.
• Strategies for mitigating retaliation risks should be explored to promote signed reviews.