Can authors opt out of transparent peer review?

Yes, in many cases, authors can opt out of transparent peer review, but it depends on the journal’s policies. Below is a structured breakdown:

1. Journal Policies on Opting Out

• Mandatory Transparency: Some journals require all reviewer reports and editorial decisions to be published alongside the article.
• Optional Transparency: Other journals allow authors to decide whether to make peer review reports public.

2. Situations Where Opting Out is Possible

Authors may have the option to keep peer reviews private under the following circumstances:

1. Journal Offers Opt-Out Choice – Certain journals (e.g., Nature Communications, BMJ Open) allow authors to choose whether to make review reports public.
2. Sensitive or Confidential Data – If the research involves proprietary, confidential, or ethically sensitive information, transparency may not be mandatory.
3. Reviewer Anonymity Requests – If a reviewer insists on remaining anonymous, some journals might not disclose their feedback publicly.

3. Platforms Supporting Author Preferences

• Scholar9 – Helps researchers manage peer review transparency and track journal policies on open and transparent peer review.
• OJSCloud – Many journals hosted on OJSCloud allow flexible peer review settings, enabling authors to control the visibility of peer review reports.

4. How to Check Opt-Out Options?

To determine if opting out is possible, authors should:

• Review the journal’s submission guidelines – These documents clarify whether transparent peer review is optional or mandatory.
• Contact the journal’s editorial office – Editors can provide specific details on peer review policies.
• Check submission systems – Some platforms allow authors to select transparency preferences during submission.

Key Takeaway

While some journals enforce mandatory transparent peer review, many allow authors to opt out under certain conditions. If privacy is a concern, it is crucial to check journal policies before submitting.