As Peer Review Week kicks off, the STM (International Association of Scientific, Technical and Medical Publishers) has announced the launch of the Peer Review Terminology website. This new resource aims to bring clarity, consistency, and transparency to the peer review process, created through a collaborative effort with NISO (National Information Standards Organization). This initiative reflects a shared commitment to improving scholarly communication and streamlining research practices.
The Peer Review Terminology website serves a crucial purpose: it standardizes the language and definitions used in peer review processes throughout the publishing ecosystem. In an age where transparency and openness are paramount—especially with the increasing prevalence of open peer review—this consistency helps all stakeholders, including authors, reviewers, editors, and readers, engage with greater confidence and clarity.
By formalizing a common terminology, the project enhances transparency and allows the community to better assess and compare practices across journals. The end result is a more efficient and trustworthy peer review system that advances the quality and reliability of scholarly research. Standardizing peer review language also fosters innovation by enabling stakeholders to communicate more effectively.
The partnership between STM and NISO exemplifies how diverse organizations can unite to tackle complex challenges in research communication. Together, they developed a peer review standard, formalized as ANSI/NISO Z39.106-2023, titled "Standard Terminology for Peer Review," in July 2023. This standard is now being actively promoted across the publishing community.
Key Features of the Peer Review Terminology Website
• Standard Terminology: The website features a collection of definitions for the processes involved in various peer review models, including most open review frameworks. It focuses on four core elements: identity transparency, reviewer interactions, published review process information, and post-publication commenting. While initially centered on journal articles, this standard has the potential to extend to other research outputs such as books, preprints, and data.
• Adopter Dashboard: This section documents the growing number of publishers adopting the peer review terminology. It provides insights into where the standards are being implemented across the industry, offering a clear picture of progress.
• 5 Steps to Get Started: The website includes a user-friendly guide outlining five steps publishers can take to integrate the peer review terminology into their processes. This roadmap ensures that even those publishers just starting their journey can quickly align with the standard.
As Peer Review Week unfolds, there is no better time to explore the new Peer Review Terminology website and join the expanding list of adopters working to shape the future of peer review. Together, we can enhance the integrity and efficiency of the peer review process, ultimately advancing scholarly communication and the quality of research.
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