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Publisher and journal reciprocity for peer review: Not so much
David Moher1, Anna Catharina Vieira Armond2
1Centre of Journalology, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada.
Accountability in Research
|January 8, 2025
Summary
Peer reviewers receive minimal incentives despite generating significant revenue for journals. The study highlights the need for greater reciprocity in the scientific publishing system to ensure fairness and sustainability in peer review.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Sciences
- Scholarly Publishing
Background:
- Peer reviewers are essential for the integrity and functioning of scientific journals.
- The current system of academic publishing often lacks transparency regarding reviewer compensation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the incentives and rewards offered to peer reviewers in biomedicine.
- To analyze the financial implications of peer review for both reviewers and publishers.
Main Methods:
- An analysis of incentives offered to a single peer reviewer over a one-month period (June 2023).
- Evaluation of 88 peer review invitations received by the reviewer.
- Estimation of potential annual revenue generated from peer review recommendations.
Main Results:
- Incentives provided were minimal, including access to training materials, reduced author processing charges, and free journal access.
- Peer review activities could generate substantial annual revenue ($USD 897,000 to $USD 1.45 million) depending on acceptance rates.
- Little to no revenue from published articles is shared with the peer reviewers.
Conclusions:
- The current peer review system disproportionately favors journals and publishers over reviewers.
- There is a critical need for increased reciprocity and fairer compensation models within the peer review process.
- Findings underscore concerns about the long-term fairness and sustainability of scientific peer review.
