The Science and Technology Committee in the UK's House of Commons recently launched an inquiry into peer review. It invites evidence on the operation and effectiveness of the peer review process used to examine and validate scientific results and papers prior to publication.
The Committee welcomes submissions on all aspect of the process. Among the issues it is likely to examine are the strengths and weaknesses of peer review as a quality control mechanism for scientists, publishers and the public; and measures to strengthen peer review. It will also study the value and use of peer reviewed science on advancing and testing scientific knowledge, and in informing public debate. The extent to which peer review varies between scientific disciplines and between countries across the world is another aspect likely to be examined. Additionally, the Committee will look at the processes by which reviewers with the requisite skills and knowledge are identified, in particular as the volume of multi-disciplinary research increases; and the impact of IT and greater use of online resources on the peer review process. It will peruse possible alternatives to peer review, as well. The Committee welcomes submissions from scientists whose material has been peer reviewed, those who commission peer reviews and those who carry out peer review.
The Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers (ALPSP) has announced that it is preparing a response and would encourage members to submit their own evidence.
The Committee invites all written submissions on any of these issues by March 10, 2011. Each submission should be no more than 3,000 words in length; be in Word format with as little use of colour or logos as possible; have numbered paragraphs; and include a declaration of interests. A copy of the submission should be sent by e-mail to scitechcom@parliament.uk and marked "Peer review".
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