An approach to the open peer review process in scientific publications

Abstract

The open science movement should be one of the priority agendas for all states. Disseminating the research generated in universities, without restrictions or geographical or economic boundaries, is today a priority. However, this brings with it several challenges, among them transparency in the research evaluation processes, particularly those carried out in scientific journals. The study presents a review of open peer review practices in Cuban universities. Objective: To identify the practices of open peer review and the perception that editors have about this process. Methodology: A mixed approach was followed, with a quantitative predominance. Initially, an analysis of the literature on the subject was carried out. An online questionnaire with mostly closed questions was applied. It is explained how the instrument was conceived for data collection. Journal editors from five Cuban universities participated. Results/Discussion: The main results focused on the need to make the different actor’s literate about the process. In addition, an existing latent concern about the conflicts of interest that such practices could generate was identified. Conclusions: Open peer review is one of the components of open science, and there is still a lack of studies in Cuban scientific journals on this subject. The study showed the existing concern among editors about the incorporation of open review processes and their implication for the conflicts of interest that could be found and for the lack of knowledge to face the process. Originality: It is considered a pioneer in the exploration of this particular component of open science. Journals belonging to the Cuban Ministry of Higher Education have not been the object of this type of study before.