Sharing Reviews: Ethical Considerations For Authors

Hey guys! Ever been in a situation where you've submitted a paper to a prestigious journal, poured your heart and soul into it, and then anxiously awaited those peer reviews? It's a nerve-wracking experience, right? What happens when you get those reviews back, and you're considering sending them to another editor at a different journal? It brings up a whole bunch of ethical questions that we're going to dive into. Let's talk about the ethical aspects of sharing peer reviews and navigate this tricky situation. There's a lot to unpack here, from the expectations of confidentiality to the potential impact on the review process and the reviewers themselves. So, grab a coffee (or your favorite beverage), and let's get started! This is an important topic that touches on the integrity of academic publishing and the responsibilities we have as authors.

The Confidentiality Conundrum: Why Peer Reviews Are Usually Secret

Okay, so let's start with the basics: Confidentiality is KEY in the world of peer review. Think of it like this: the reviewers are essentially offering their expert opinions in a private setting. They're often asked to provide honest, sometimes critical, assessments of a manuscript, and this is all done with the understanding that their comments will be kept confidential. This confidentiality is crucial for a few reasons. First, it encourages reviewers to be frank and open in their evaluations. If they knew their comments could be shared with anyone and everyone, they might be less likely to offer constructive criticism or point out potential flaws. Second, it protects the reviewers from potential repercussions. Imagine a scenario where a reviewer's comments, which might be harsh but necessary, were shared publicly. This could lead to disagreements or even personal attacks. Finally, confidentiality protects the author during the review process; receiving advice and guidance without the world knowing what is happening. So, when you receive peer reviews, remember that these documents are intended for your eyes (and the editor's) only. Sharing them without explicit permission is a big no-no and a breach of the implicit agreement of the peer-review process. Sharing the reviews breaks the trust between the journal, the reviewers, and the author. Maintaining this trust is essential to the fair and effective operation of journals. Reviewers provide crucial expertise that contributes to the progress of knowledge, and the academic publishing system depends on their integrity and willingness to provide feedback.

Breaking Down the Rules

Now, let's be clear: the rules surrounding the sharing of peer reviews are pretty straightforward. Typically, you are not allowed to share peer reviews with anyone outside of the journal's editorial team, which includes the editor and any editorial assistants. This includes other editors at different journals, colleagues, collaborators, or even your mom. There's often an explicit statement about confidentiality in the journal's guidelines for authors. However, not all situations are cut and dry. There might be scenarios where sharing is considered, but you should ALWAYS err on the side of caution and seek permission first.

When Sharing Might Be Considered (and When It's Definitely a Bad Idea)

Okay, so we know that sharing peer reviews is generally a no-go, but are there any exceptions? Well, in the academic world, things are rarely black and white. There might be rare instances where sharing review information is considered, but these are the exceptions. These considerations include seeking guidance from a mentor or senior colleague who is not directly involved in the process. In this situation, ensure that the shared reviews are not circulated further.

Seeking Advice

One situation where sharing might seem okay is when you're seeking advice. Maybe you're completely stumped on how to address the reviewers' comments, and you want a second opinion. In these cases, you might be tempted to share the reviews with a trusted mentor or colleague. However, before you do this, it's crucial to take a few steps. First, make absolutely sure that the person you're sharing the reviews with understands the confidential nature of the documents and agrees to keep them private. Second, explain the context of why you are sharing them, and emphasize that their role is to provide advice, not to disseminate the reviews further. Keep the circle of people who see the reviews as small as possible. However, if you're considering sharing with a co-author, you should be fine, since the journal expects that co-authors have access to review information.

Potential Reasons to Share

There are a few specific situations where sharing might seem justifiable, such as requesting feedback from a co-author. Another possible scenario is when you believe the review process was biased or unfair. In such situations, you might consider sharing the reviews with a senior editor or a professional body, but even then, you must be extremely careful and make sure that you're acting within the ethical guidelines. You may also consider the following:

• Transferring to another journal: If you're withdrawing your submission from one journal and resubmitting it to another, it might seem helpful to share the reviews with the new editor. However, this is generally not appropriate, because the editor of the new journal needs to conduct its own review of the manuscript, and providing prior reviews may introduce bias and undermine the objectivity of the process. Therefore, you should avoid this under normal circumstances.
• Appealing a rejection: If you want to appeal a rejection decision, the journal's policy usually specifies the process for doing so. Therefore, you will usually not need to share reviews with another person.

The Red Flags: When You Absolutely Shouldn't Share

On the flip side, there are several scenarios where sharing peer reviews is a definite red flag. Here are some big no-nos:

• Sharing with other authors: Do not share the reviews with authors who are not co-authors of your submitted manuscript.
• Sharing with reviewers: Sharing the reviews with other reviewers is also not appropriate.
• Sharing with a competing researcher: Sharing with a competitor could give an unfair advantage to someone else.
• Publishing the reviews: Do not publish the reviews on any public forum, such as a blog, a website, or social media.

Weighing the Risks: What Could Go Wrong?

Okay, so we've covered the basics of confidentiality and the potential exceptions, but what exactly are the risks of improperly sharing peer reviews? Well, there are several, and they can have serious consequences. The primary risk is damage to your reputation. If you're found to have violated the confidentiality of the peer-review process, it can damage your credibility and make it more difficult to get your work published in the future. Editors and journals take these breaches very seriously, and they may take actions, such as rejecting your paper or banning you from submitting to the journal. Then, there is a chance for legal repercussions. In certain cases, depending on the specific circumstances and the policies of the journal, there might be legal ramifications. This is rare, but possible, especially if the shared reviews contain sensitive information or if they were shared without consent. Finally, there is the damage to the peer-review process. As we mentioned earlier, peer review depends on trust and confidentiality. If authors start sharing reviews, it could undermine the integrity of the entire system, making it less likely that people will participate or offer honest feedback. This could harm the quality of published research.

The Right Thing to Do: Steps to Take Before You Share

So, if you're considering sharing your peer reviews, what should you do? Here are the essential steps to take, to ensure you're acting ethically and responsibly:

1. Review the journal's policy: Start by carefully reviewing the journal's guidelines for authors. These guidelines should specify the journal's policy on confidentiality and the sharing of peer reviews. If you can't find a clear policy, contact the editor and ask for clarification. They can also tell you whether there might be any potential exceptions or circumstances where sharing might be appropriate.
2. Seek permission: If you have a valid reason to share the reviews, you MUST ask for permission from the editor. Explain why you want to share the reviews and with whom, and be sure to emphasize the importance of confidentiality. Respect their decision, and understand that they might not grant permission. If they say no, then it's a definite no. If they say yes, then make sure you understand the conditions and expectations.
3. Redact sensitive information: If you get permission to share the reviews, carefully redact any identifying information about the reviewers before sharing the reviews. This protects their privacy and ensures that their identities remain confidential. Do not, under any circumstances, reveal the identities of the reviewers to anyone who is not authorized to know it. Be extra cautious when redacting reviews.
4. Keep a record: Keep a record of your communication with the editor, including the date, the content of your request, and the editor's response. This documentation could be helpful if any issues arise in the future.

Conclusion: Protecting Integrity in Academic Publishing

So, guys, to wrap things up, the ethical considerations surrounding peer review are super important. Confidentiality is the cornerstone of the peer-review process, and it's essential to respect the trust placed in you as an author. While there might be a few rare situations where sharing peer reviews could be considered, you should always err on the side of caution. Always seek permission from the editor before sharing any reviews and be transparent in your intentions. Think of the potential consequences before you act, and remember that the goal is to maintain the integrity of academic publishing. By following these guidelines, you can avoid potential ethical pitfalls and help ensure that the peer-review process remains fair, transparent, and effective. By being mindful of these principles, you can help maintain the trust that underpins the academic publishing system. Ultimately, upholding ethical standards benefits everyone involved, from the authors and reviewers to the journals and the wider scientific community. Keep these points in mind when you are considering your next paper submission! Now, go forth and keep those reviews confidential!