OpenEdition experiments open peer review protocols for scientific articles

As part of the European project OpenAIRE2020 (Open Access Infrastructure for Research in Europe toward 2020), OpenEdition is experimenting open peer review protocols, in partnership with the electronic journal VertigO and the Couperin consortium.

What is open peer review?

Open peer review has been developed in English-speaking science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines since the 90’s, especially in open access publications. Two features differentiate it from classical peer review: referees are not anonymous and reports are publicly displayed. In this perspective, the journal VertigO explores two separated protocols in its research blog on Hypotheses.

Open review

In the first protocol, VertigO’s editors ask referees to upload their report online, in order to make it public. Then, it is possible for the authors to start a conversation with the referees. If the preprint is finally accepted, a file detailing the reviewing process and the referees observations will be attached to the article.

• Read the preprints submitted to open peer reviewing

Open commentary

In the second protocol, authors publish online preprints of articles presenting formal problems in the research blog and to open them to comments. Everyone can suggest editorial guidances and advice. The editor moderates the comments a posteriori. This part of the experiment is not for specialists. On the contrary, it is open to all. You are welcome to take part in it.

• Read, comment and annotate the preprints opened to commentaries

For more information

• Presentation of the experiment in VertigO‘s research blog: “Open reviews and commentaries” (in French).
• A paper by Julien Bordier, “Open peer review: polysemous and problematics. 1/2” on the blog OpenEdition Lab (in French).
• For any questions, contact julien.bordier [at] openedition.org