What is a conflict of interest in peer review?

What is a conflict of interest in peer review?

A conflict of interest in peer review occurs when a reviewer has personal or financial ties to the work being evaluated, which may bias their judgment.

Can you give me examples of conflicts of interest?

Sure! Examples include a reviewer who is a co-author on a related paper, or one who has a financial stake in a competing product.

How can journals prevent conflicts of interest?

Journals can require authors and reviewers to disclose any potential conflicts and implement strict guidelines for reviewer selection.

What happens if a conflict of interest is discovered after publication?

If discovered, the journal may issue a correction, retract the paper, or take other actions depending on the severity of the conflict.

Are there any ethical guidelines for peer reviewers?

Yes, many organizations provide ethical guidelines that emphasize transparency, fairness, and the importance of disclosing conflicts.