ANONYMOUS PEER REVIEW – AUTHOR REQUESTING MANUSCRIPT FILE
Case
Two manuscripts were submitted, reviewed by the journal, and rejected on the basis of negative reviews. The author took issue with one particularly negative review and appealed decision. Journal sought the advice of an editorial board member who reviewed the manuscripts and the reports and agreed that the correct editorial decision was made.
The author now wishes to see the manuscript files, including the names of the reviewers, as well as the names of those approached to review the manuscripts. Editorial office has refused because the journal operates a peer review policy whereby the authors are blinded to the reviewers’ identities. Editorial office feels that this would violate reviewers’ right to confidentiality and may expose the reviewers to hostile action on the part of the author.
COPE advice
As the peer review process is confidential and privileged between the editor and reviewer, it is up to the editor to decide how much information to disclose to the author. The editor should not comply with the author’s request to have the names of the reviewers. The author does not have a right to see his files although if the editor wishes to show them to him, then he may do so, provided the anonymity of those providing confidential advice is respected.
