RSC launches transparent peer review
RSC Chemical Biology has become the first 海角社区 journal to adopt transparent peer review 鈥� meaning that reviewers鈥� comments can be read publically.
The move is part of our commitment to make research and decision-making more open, robust and accessible. In addition to this, RSC Chemical Biology is Gold open access, and therefore articles and the review process are free-to-read 鈥� making it our most accessible journal so far.
Authors are encouraged to opt-in for the publication of an article鈥檚 peer review history: including reviewer comments, author responses and editorial decision letters. By enabling readers to read the discussions between authors, reviewers and editors, the aim is to provide an additional level of assurance to ensure research integrity and reproducibility.
What is transparent peer review?
Director of publishing at the 海角社区 Emma Wilson said: 鈥淭his is an exciting development for us. Publishing the first papers from a new Gold Open Access journal in our portfolio is the ideal time to take this step forward. We hope it contributes to making the peer review process more open and robust, as well as shining a light on the excellent contributions of our reviewers and editors.
鈥淲e are experimenting across various models of peer review to reflect the demand from our community, and will be closely monitoring the success of transparent peer review. We are very encouraged by the fact that 50% of submitting authors so far have decided to take part, and want to encourage all authors to opt-in.鈥�
Authors have no obligation to take part and can opt out at any decision stage throughout the process, while reviewers will also be anonymous unless they choose to sign their report.
What is Gold open access?
RSC Chemical Biology is a new gold open access journal for exceptional findings in chemical biology. Three articles have been so far, of which is transparent peer reviewed. The journal鈥檚 first complete issue is scheduled for publication at the end of April.
The journal welcomes a range of contributions, from the development of new chemical and biological techniques and tools, to studies furthering the understanding or manipulation of biological processes at the molecular level. It also encourages translational research that bridges chemistry and chemical biology to medicine.
Article publication charges for the journal are waived until mid-2022, meaning it will be free to read and free to publish in for its first two years.
We鈥檒l continue to monitor the uptake and usage of transparent peer review on RSC Chemical Biology, with expansion to further journals in mind.
Have look at the , the first transparent peer-reviewed , or to find out more about RSC Chemical Biology and sign up for e-alerts about further developments visit: