The present and future of peer review: Ideas, interventions, and evidence

B Balazs Aczel A Ann-Sophie Barwich (Department of History and Philosophy of Science and Medicine, Indiana University) A Amanda B. Diekman (Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University) A Ayelet Fishbach (Booth School of Business) R Robert L. Goldstone (Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University) P Pablo Gomez (Psychology Department, Skidmore College) O Odd Erik Gundersen (Department of Computer Science) P Paul T. von Hippel (LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas) A Alex O. Holcombe (School of Psychology, University of Sydney) S Stephan Lewandowsky (School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol) N Nazbanou Nozari (Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University) F Franco Pestilli (Department of Psychology) J John P. A. Ioannidis (Department of Medicine)

Abstract

What is wrong with the peer review system? Is peer review sustainable? Useful? What other models exist? These are central yet contentious questions in today’s academic discourse. This perspective critically discusses alternative models and revisions to the peer review system. The authors highlight possible changes to the peer review system, with the goal of fostering further dialog among the main stakeholders, including producers and consumers of scientific research. Neither our list of identified issues with the peer review system nor our discussed resolutions are complete. A point of agreement is that fair assessment and efficient change would require more comprehensive and rigorous data on the various aspects of the peer review system.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 122, Issue 5
Published February 04, 2025
ISSN 0027-8424
Publisher National Academy of Sciences

Authors (13)

B

Balazs Aczel

A

Ann-Sophie Barwich

Department of History and Philosophy of Science and Medicine, Indiana University

A

Amanda B. Diekman

Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University

A

Ayelet Fishbach

Booth School of Business

R

Robert L. Goldstone

Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University

P

Pablo Gomez

Psychology Department, Skidmore College

O

Odd Erik Gundersen

Department of Computer Science

P

Paul T. von Hippel

LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas

A

Alex O. Holcombe

School of Psychology, University of Sydney

S

Stephan Lewandowsky

School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol

N

Nazbanou Nozari

Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University

F

Franco Pestilli

Department of Psychology

J

John P. A. Ioannidis

Department of Medicine