Peer review is an essential component of academic publishing. It ensures the academic integrity of research while also providing authors with constructive feedback. In this way, it helps optimize research at the same time as upholding ethical standards.
However, peer review is a lengthy and complex process. That’s where peer review management tools come in. These are software platforms and systems designed to smooth and enhance the peer review process for authors and publishers.
After explaining peer review and its different types, we’ll investigate some peer review management tools best suited for small and mid-sized academic publishers.
What is peer review?
Peer review is the standardized method of validating scientific or academic research prior to its publication. If you’ve ever read academic work, whether in the form of an article or a book, it’s almost certainly passed some form of peer review prior to publication.
Peer review is important because it maintains ethical standards across the whole of academic publishing. It gives other academics the opportunity to review work and ensure that no incorrect or reactionary observations or comments enter the academic ecosystem. For more information on peer review and how to improve your process, we recommend reading our article on this topic.
Types of peer review
There are a few different types of peer review. Here are some of the main ones with descriptions of their characteristics:
- Single-blind peer review: this is the traditional kind of peer review. The reviewers know the author’s identity, but the author does not know the identity of the reviewers.
- Double-blind peer review: this is the most neutral form of peer review. Both the author and reviewer remain anonymous to each other.
- Triple-blind peer review: this form of peer review is rarer than the aforementioned. In this case, the editors as well as the author do not know who the reviewers are.
- Open peer review: there can be several different kinds of open peer review. Generally, it refers to a reviewing procedure where transparency and collaboration are prioritized. The identities of both author and reviewers are known, and review reports and comments are also available, facilitating direct discussions between authors and reviewers before publication.
- Post-publication peer review: With this kind of peer review, authors have their research peer reviewed after publication.
Peer review management tools
As previously mentioned, peer review is a lengthy and intricate process. But there are peer review management tools that can help you follow a consistent, streamlined process.
Peer review management tools essentially provide publishers with the framework necessary to review and process papers as efficiently as possible. These tools make it easier for authors to submit their papers, reviewers to provide feedback, and editorial staff to track and oversee outstanding requirements.
Journal management tools
For small to mid-sized academic publishers, journal management tools are your best option. These tools are designed to support every stage of the academic process—from submission and peer review to production and publication.
JAMS is a journal management tool that supports single-blind, double-blind, and open review. The system automatically anonymizes author and reviewer information according to the selected review model, ensuring a fair and unbiased evaluation process.
Reviewer assignment and tracking are also streamlined in JAMS, making it easier for editors to search for potential reviewers and editorial staff to be alerted at each stage of the review process.
The platform also offers customizable templates and forms. Editors are able to tailor invitation emails, reviewer instructions, and decision letters to align with journal or publication specifics. Additionally, review forms can be adapted to include specific questions, rating scales, or comment fields, ensuring that reviewer feedback is structured, relevant, and aligned with the journal’s evaluation criteria.
There are other peer review management tools publishers can use. Publishers can download software such as Open Journal Systems (OJS) to navigate the peer review process themselves.
However, the benefit of using a journal management platform like JAMS is that it provides dedicated support throughout the whole review process. Ensuring the vision of your publisher, it offers tailored production solutions designed to meet any unique journal requirements you may have.
Other peer review management tools
There are other peer review management tools available to publishers, depending on your needs.
Software such as Fourwaves and Ex Cordo integrates peer review and conference management tools. This may be useful if your academic publisher intends to organize a conference; these systems allow you to collect abstracts, oversee peer review, and notify authors of paper acceptances.
Some learning management systems also offer built-in peer review tools. However, a lot of these tools are AI-driven; it’s best to avoid these where possible. Peer review is a thorough, complex process, one best undertaken and supervised by human professionals.
Finding what suits your publisher
Different publishers have different needs; not only that, but each journal will have their own specific requirements too.
Certain peer review management tools are more comprehensive than others, streamlining the review and publication processes. If you’re a small to mid-sized academic publisher, you’ll want to ensure that you’re covering all bases and streamlining efficiency. This will free up labor in other respective departments in your team, as well as guaranteeing author satisfaction during the production process.
Peer review management tools aren’t just for maintaining current production efficiency; they’re also there to help optimize the future growth of your academic publisher. With the implementation of the right kind of peer review system, you’re laying the groundwork for building brand reputability and awareness. These factors are key in improving the revenue of your business model.
As we’ve touched upon, peer review is a complex and intricate process. To ensure that you’re ahead of the curve, read our other article on how to create a peer review pipeline.