Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: Peer review is a core part of the editorial workflow for Cochrane Reviews, representing an opportunity for scrutiny of methodology, interpretation and context before publication. All Cochrane Reviews are peer-reviewed, and Cochrane Review Groups manage the peer review process for their reviews. Development of an overarching peer review policy is part of Cochrane's integrated quality strategy.
Objectives: To describe the development and implementation of new peer review policy for Cochrane Reviews, aiming to clarify when to peer review (including for updates) and who to use for peer review. The policy is for the use of editorial teams, authors, peer reviewers, and readers and other users of Cochrane Reviews.
Methods: Following an exploratory workshop at the 2015 Cochrane Colloquium, an outline of the policy and supporting guidance was developed by the Cochrane Editorial Unit. We recruited a working group representing Cochrane Review Groups, authors, consumers, and Wiley, and the policy was developed further in collaboration with the group. We identified many different aspects that could be covered by the policy and/or supporting guidance, and in each case we considered whether policy should allow for diversity or set new standards. The policy will be distributed for consultation, finalised, agreed, and published in the Cochrane Editorial and Publishing Policy Resource. We will establish what guidance is needed to support implementation.
Results: We identified the need for policy in a number of areas, including: anonymous or open peer review; number and expertise of peer reviewers; declarations of interest for peer reviewers; acknowledgement and credit; peer review turnaround time; communication with peer reviewers; peer review criteria and conduct; and peer review fraud.
Conclusions: We identified the need for an overarching policy for the peer review of Cochrane Reviews, and we are developing a policy that meets the needs of diverse Cochrane editorial teams, review authors, peer reviewers, and users of Cochrane Reviews.
Objectives: To describe the development and implementation of new peer review policy for Cochrane Reviews, aiming to clarify when to peer review (including for updates) and who to use for peer review. The policy is for the use of editorial teams, authors, peer reviewers, and readers and other users of Cochrane Reviews.
Methods: Following an exploratory workshop at the 2015 Cochrane Colloquium, an outline of the policy and supporting guidance was developed by the Cochrane Editorial Unit. We recruited a working group representing Cochrane Review Groups, authors, consumers, and Wiley, and the policy was developed further in collaboration with the group. We identified many different aspects that could be covered by the policy and/or supporting guidance, and in each case we considered whether policy should allow for diversity or set new standards. The policy will be distributed for consultation, finalised, agreed, and published in the Cochrane Editorial and Publishing Policy Resource. We will establish what guidance is needed to support implementation.
Results: We identified the need for policy in a number of areas, including: anonymous or open peer review; number and expertise of peer reviewers; declarations of interest for peer reviewers; acknowledgement and credit; peer review turnaround time; communication with peer reviewers; peer review criteria and conduct; and peer review fraud.
Conclusions: We identified the need for an overarching policy for the peer review of Cochrane Reviews, and we are developing a policy that meets the needs of diverse Cochrane editorial teams, review authors, peer reviewers, and users of Cochrane Reviews.