Purposes of peer review: A qualitative study of stakeholder expectations and perceptions

• DOI: 10.31235/osf.io/w2kg4
• Publication Date: 2020-05-06T18:31:28Z
• Authors: Anna Severin; Joanna Chataway
• Keywords: Thematic Analysis

Background: Depending upon their relationship with the process, stakeholders might have diverging or even conflicting expectations about functions that peer review should fulfil. We aimed to explore how different stakeholder groups across academic disciplines perceive and what they expect from it. Methods: conducted qualitative focus group workshops early-, mid- senior career scholars, reviewers, editors publishers. recruited participants following a purposive maximum variation sampling approach used semi-structured topic guide moderate discussions. To identify purposes of review, we thematic analysis. Results: Stakeholders expected (i) assess contributions manuscript, (ii) conduct quality control, (iii) improve manuscripts, (iv) suitability manuscripts for journals its readership, (v) provide decision-making tool editors, (vi) feedback by peers, (vii) curate community (viii) seal accreditation published articles. Stakeholder roles tasks in process differed understanding value attached review. Some are contradictory, revealing tension between formative summative Conclusions: towards profoundly shaped own both relation within scientific community.