Challenges to open peer review

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess what the challenges to open peer review (OPR) are, relative to traditional peer review (TPR).Design/methodology/approachBy examining select issues within peer review, more broadly, and challenges within TPR, the effectiveness of OPR is questioned.FindingsAlthough OPR brings an aspect of transparency, by partially eliminating biases, fear of reprisals and of professional blow-back, either by authors who may be criticized or by competitors, limits the expansion of this peer review model, or its adoption as an industry-wide standard.Originality/valueOpen Science 2.0 boasts of greater openness and transparency and OPR is touted as one tool to achieve this. However, that potential is limited. This limitation needs to be recognized.