ChemComm to offer double-blind peer review option on a permanent basis
Royal Society of Chemistry journal ChemComm is to continue offering authors the option for double-blind peer review, after a successful trial over the past 12 months.
ChemComm publishes 100 issues per year, and is known for being the fastest publisher of articles providing information on new avenues of chemical research. In July 2017 the journal began offering authors a choice in how their manuscript was peer reviewed. Upon submission, authors had the option to use single-blind or double-blind peer review.
Under the more traditional single-blind option, reviewers remain anonymous, but they are able to see the identity of the authors. Under the double-blind option, the authors keep their identity hidden from the reviewers.
During the trial we found that 10% of ChemComm authors chose the double-blind option at submission, with an above average number of these authors being from India and Iran. The USA, Japan, Germany and the UK on the other hand all showed a less than 5% uptake.
Philippa Ross, Executive Editor for ChemComm, explains:
"During the trial we gathered feedback from authors to understand their motivations for choosing either single- or double-blind peer review. We found that those who chose the double-blind option perceived this option to be more fair, and all said they would choose it again next time they submit. Those who opted for single-blind peer review did so because of familiarity with the process, with a small proportion saying they would choose double-blind next time.
"Overall, our findings suggest that the quality of the reviews received was comparable for both single- and double-blind review and author satisfaction levels were also equal for both. Although it is unclear at this stage whether double-blind peer review truly reduces bias during the peer review process, it is clear that there is strong advocacy for it from some members of our community. We want to continue offering our authors at ChemComm a choice, and therefore the option to choose double-blind peer review will remain as a permanent feature."
One challenge of the process is that authors are responsible for anonymising their own manuscripts, and it was found during the trial that in many case this was not done fully. The journal is exploring ways of improving this process in order to ensure a higher rate of anonymity.
"If you do want to choose double-blind peer review for your submission", says Philippa, "guidelines for successfully anonymising your manuscript can be found in our handy checklist, along with more detailed guidelines for authors and reviewers.
"We continue to welcome your comments and feedback and encourage you to try double-blind peer review for your next submission."
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