A Nature article by Holly Else spotlights new evidence suggesting that paying peer reviewers may speed up publishing processes. Else highlights how two journals—Critical Care Medicine and Biology Open—recently conducted separate experiments in which peer reviewers were offered cash incentives for accepting and completing reviews. Both studies found that paying reviewers improved the number of accepted invitations and the speed at which reviews were carried out to varying degrees. Despite these findings, some academics remain cautious about making these payments standard practice, as it could lead to higher journal subscription costs or could encourage reviewers to prioritize quantity over quality.
Nature (Acct Req)
