The Perils of Peer Review
This chapter explores the detailed stages of publication of a scientific paper, starting with selection of journal by authors and submission of papers. The system architecture and roles of editors, editorial boards, and referees are examined, and the nature of the review process is discussed, including potential pitfalls, ethical considerations, possible outcomes, and the interactions between authors and journals. The significance of rejection of papers (and famous cases of papers that were first rejected by journals) is explored, and the steps following acceptance of a paper, right through to proof correction and publication, explained. In addition, future developments being evaluated today, such as postpublication (or even preresearch) peer review, are discussed.