The Road to Double-Anonymous Peer Review

Abstract

MODERATOR: Jennifer Regala Director of Publications, American Urological Association Linthicum, Maryland SPEAKERS: Christine Beaty Director of Journal Operations, American Heart Association Dallas, Texas Christina Nelson Director of Publishing and Editorial Operations, The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, Inc. Needham, Massachusetts Anna Jester Vice President of Sales & Marketing eJournalPress Rockville, Maryland REPORTER: Martha Keyes American Urological Association Linthicum, Maryland For this CSE Peer Review Week Webinar, moderator Jennifer Regala launched the discussion on double-anonymous (often referred to as double-blind) peer review (DAPR) by explaining that the genesis for this CSE webinar topic stemmed from a good-natured debate with a colleague over the ease with which a publication can implement a DAPR process. Participants Christine Beaty, Christina Nelson, and Anna Jester outlined both the motivation behind the implementation of DAPR and the necessary changes to the mechanics of the peer-review process that must be considered by those editorial staff and editors who are weighing the factors in their own possible shift to DAPR for their journal(s). Let the Science Speak for Itself At the time of the webinar, Beaty and the editorial team of Circulation: Heart Failure were on the cusp of implementing DAPR. She shared their motivation for implementation and the steps taken thus far to install the DAPR process in their editorial office. The goal of fair and equitable reviews, especially for early career investigators and those authors from diverse ethnic and geographical backgrounds, was the major impetus for change. Implementation of DAPR, Beaty stressed, will break […]