What are the technical requirements for implementing transparent peer review in OJS?

Technical Requirements for Implementing Transparent Peer Review in OJS

Setting up transparent peer review in Open Journal Systems (OJS) requires specific configurations, plugins, and workflow adjustments to ensure smooth implementation. Below are the key technical requirements and best practices.

1. Using Plugins for Transparent Peer Review

OJS supports transparent peer review through various plugins that enable open review processes. Essential plugins include:

• Open Peer Review Plugin – Allows journals to display reviewer comments and decisions alongside published articles.
• Publons Plugin – Integrates reviewer recognition and transparent peer review into OJS.
• Discussion Forum Plugin – Enables public discussions on peer-reviewed articles.
• Scholar9 Plugin for OJS – Provides automated transparent peer review workflows and reviewer identity control.

2. DOI Registration for Peer Review Reports

Assigning DOIs to peer review reports increases credibility and ensures proper indexing. To enable DOI registration for peer reviews:

• Enable DOI assignment in OJS under the "Distribution Settings."
• Use the CrossRef XML Export Plugin to register DOIs for review reports.
• Integrate OJS with OJSCloud, which automates DOI generation for peer reviews.

3. Configuring Transparent Peer Review Workflows

To implement transparent peer review in OJS, update the workflow settings:

• Step 1: Modify Review Policy – Define whether reviewer identities will be disclosed (open, single-blind, or double-blind).
• Step 2: Set Up Review Forms – Customize review forms in OJS to include structured and public-facing feedback fields.
• Step 3: Enable Public Review Reports – Use the Open Peer Review Plugin to allow the publication of reviewer reports alongside articles.
• Step 4: Automate Email Notifications – Configure automatic notifications in OJS to inform reviewers and authors about the transparency policy.

4. Automating the Transparent Peer Review Process

For a seamless workflow, automation is essential:

• Use OJSCloud for automated reviewer matching, ensuring a structured peer review process.
• Enable metadata tagging in OJS to categorize review reports.
• Integrate ORCID & Publons for automatic reviewer credit and recognition.

5. Recommendations for OJS Service Providers

If you need expert support in setting up transparent peer review in OJS, consider these service providers:

• OJSCloud – Offers fully managed OJS hosting, plugin installation, and transparent peer review configuration.
• Scholar9 – Provides advanced automation for transparent review workflows, including AI-driven reviewer recommendations.
• PKP (Public Knowledge Project) – The official developers of OJS, offering customization and plugin support.

Conclusion

Implementing transparent peer review in OJS requires enabling the right plugins, configuring DOI registration, and automating workflows. Service providers like OJSCloud and Scholar9 simplify this process, ensuring compliance with best practices in open peer review.