Advancing peer review
Advancing Peer Review at Auctores
Peer review is a cornerstone of scholarly publishing and plays a vital role in ensuring research integrity, scientific credibility, and the advancement of global knowledge.
At Auctores, we are committed to improving and innovating the peer review process. From the early stages of our establishment, we have embraced transparency and progressive models of review to better serve authors, reviewers, and the broader academic community. In alignment with our mission to support open scientific communication, Auctores continues to explore and implement new peer review approaches that strengthen reliability, reduce bias, and enhance the research experience for all stakeholders.
We also support research on publication ethics and peer review practices through our journals and collaborative partnerships with global academic communities. Where meaningful improvements are possible, we pilot new models, test emerging technologies, and work closely with experts to refine peer review standards.
If you have suggestions or feedback on how we can further strengthen the peer review system at Auctores, we welcome you to contact us.
Peer Review Initiatives at Auctores
Models of Peer Review
Open Peer Review
At Auctores, open peer review includes open identities and open content, where authors and reviewers are aware of each other’s names, and reviewer reports accompany the published article. Many Auctores journals use this model to enhance transparency, accountability, and recognition for reviewers. Open peer review also helps early-career researchers learn from real, published review reports.
Transparent Peer Review
In this model, reviewer reports are openly available alongside the published manuscript, but reviewer identities remain anonymous unless they choose to sign their review. This enhances transparency while respecting reviewer preferences. Editorial letters may also be shared where appropriate.
Double-Blind Peer Review
Double-blind peer review minimizes potential bias by ensuring that neither authors nor reviewers know each other’s identities. Several Auctores journals, particularly in medical and biological sciences, offer double-blind review to support fair and objective evaluation of manuscripts.
Innovative Peer Review Approaches
Patient & Public Peer Review
Recognizing the essential role of patients and the public in health research, Auctores supports patient-involved peer review for select journals in healthcare and social sciences. Manuscripts in these fields may undergo review by both academic experts and trained patient reviewers to provide diverse perspectives and ensure real-world relevance.
Registered Reports
In the Registered Reports format, study designs and protocols are peer-reviewed before data collection. Accepted protocols receive in-principle acceptance, minimizing publication bias and placing emphasis on methodological rigor rather than outcome direction. Auctores offers Registered Reports in selected science journals.
Results-Free Review
This model evaluates manuscripts based solely on their rationale and methodology—while temporarily withholding study results. Once accepted at this stage, the full manuscript undergoes final review to verify consistency between methods, data, and conclusions. This approach reduces bias toward “positive” or “novel” findings.
Re-Review Opt-Out
To reduce delays in publication, Auctores allows authors in certain journals to opt out of re-review after revisions. Editors may make the final decision without returning the manuscript to reviewers, lowering the burden on reviewers and accelerating publication timelines.
Automated Peer Review Tools
Auctores is exploring advanced automated tools that assist reviewers by screening manuscripts for statistical accuracy, reporting guideline adherence, and ethical compliance. These tools work alongside human reviewers to improve efficiency and quality.
Portable Peer Review
Auctores supports portability of peer review both within our journals and across publishers. Manuscripts previously reviewed elsewhere may be considered with their reviewer reports, allowing faster decisions, reduced reviewer workload, and better use of existing evaluations.
Expedited Peer Review
For manuscripts that are scientifically sound but rejected by broad-scope journals for reasons of scope or priority, Auctores accepts submissions along with original reviewer reports and rebuttals. This enables faster editorial decisions and reduces redundant reviewer effort.
Recognition for Peer Review
Reviewer Acknowledgements
Auctores values the indispensable contributions of reviewers. We publish annual reviewer acknowledgements across our journals and continuously explore new ways to celebrate reviewer dedication and expertise.
Publons & Reviewer Credit
Auctores participates in systems that verify and showcase reviewer activity, including integration with platforms like Publons, enabling reviewers to build a visible and validated record of their peer review contributions across journals worldwide.