How versioning supports transparent research on Gates Open Research

One of the key features of Gates Open Research is article versioning, which provides authors with the opportunity to update their work as their research develops or in response to reviewer feedback. This approach ensures that research remains accurate, transparent, and accessible to the academic community and beyond. In this post, we explore how versioning works and its role in encouraging clear communication between authors, reviewers, and readers in tandem with open peer review practices.

What is versioning?

Article versioning is a process that allows authors to submit updated versions of their manuscripts as their research progresses. This allows them to address reviewer feedback, refine their findings, and incorporate new data or insights. Gates Open Research supports “living” articles, meaning each version of an article is clearly documented, ensuring that readers can follow the development of the research over time.

This approach is central to Gates Open Research’s commitment to transparency, providing a structured way for authors to improve their work while maintaining a clear record of changes.

Peer review statuses and passing peer review

Gates Open Research’s post-publication peer review model uses the following peer review statuses, which guide authors on the revisions needed to improve their work.

The statuses are:
Approved: The article meets academic standards, with minor suggestions for improvement.
Approved with Reservations: The article has merit but requires more substantial revisions to meet the criteria for an “Approved” status.
Not Approved: The article has significant issues that need to be addressed. This status does not mean rejection, as authors can revise and resubmit their work.

These statuses also provide readers with a clear indication of the article’s current standing in the peer review process. To pass peer review and be indexed, an article must either:
Receive two “Approved” statuses, or
Receive one “Approved” status and two “Approved with Reservations” statuses.
If these thresholds are not met, authors are encouraged to submit a revised version. Reviewers provide constructive feedback to help authors make meaningful improvements.

The revision process

When revising an article, authors can discuss feedback through the platform’s comment system to explain changes or provide context for decisions. Each new version includes an “Amendments” statement summarizing the updates made.

Once a new version is published, original reviewers are invited to review the article once more. While submitting a new version does not guarantee a change in peer review status, reviewers are required to provide clear explanations for any remaining concerns.

Transparency in versioning

Each version of an article is assigned a unique DOI, creating a permanent record of the research’s development. If a reader accesses an older version, they are notified that a newer version is available.

To clarify the purpose of each version, articles are tagged as:
[Revised]: A new version incorporating reviewer feedback.
[Update]: A version published after peer review, reflecting minor developments in the research.
This system ensures that readers can track the progression of an article and understand the context behind each version.

Versioning on Gates Open Research provides a structured way for authors to refine their work and for readers to follow the development of research. By allowing updates and addressing feedback, it allows for a collaborative and transparent approach to academic publishing.

To learn more about peer review and article versioning, visit Gates Open Research’s guidance on how to submit a new article version here.