Blog

F1000 have announced changes to their peer review model, based on extensive feedback from previous authors and reviewers. In this blog, we highlight the changes and how it will impact you as an author submitting to Gates Open Research.

What was the previous model and why is it changing?

Previously, Gates Open Research followed an author-led peer review model, whereby authors submitting their work would suggest suitable reviewers among the known the experts in their field. However, for some authors, identifying appropriate experts could be time-consuming and was often an unfamiliar challenge.

What is editorial-led peer review?

Moving to an editorial-led peer review model means F1000’s in-house editorial team will streamline the author’s submission process by identifying and inviting appropriate reviewers on behalf of authors. The peer review process is still fully transparent. Authors may still provide suggestions on who to invite (or alternatively, who not to approach for review, and why), however this is not a requirement and is optional.

The rest of the submission process remains the same. Authors will continue to submit their articles through our single-page submission system and once submitted, the paper will undergo all the usual checks to ensure that our policies and ethical guidelines have been adhered to prior to publication. The review process that follows is still post-publication and fully open. This means that peer review occurs once the paper has been published, and all reviewer names, peer review reports and the authors’ responses are published alongside the article, so that readers can benefit from the additional viewpoints and context.

The new peer review model will benefit authors by providing:

• Smoother processes for authors. By removing the requirement to recommend peer reviewers, the submission process for Gates Open Research has been simplified. This additional step was often a challenge for early career researchers or those without extensive connections.
• Faster post-publication review. The editorial-led peer review process significantly speeds up both the time to publication of the article before review (due to not having to wait for suggested peer reviewers to be approved), as well as the peer review process itself.

As Rebecca Lawrence, F1000’s Managing Director, explains:

“This latest development to the way we work together will make the process of sharing outputs easier for all researchers, particularly those who encounter greater obstacles to getting their voices heard”.

For more information and to view the full announcement from F1000 on editorial-led peer review, click here

• Sign up to our newsletter
• Follow us on Twitter