On this site we're having a spirited discussion about the merits of harsh reviews of books by junior scholars. Several commentators have suggested that publishers are the (at least partial) proper object of criticism of published works of inferior quality. BUT WHAT ABOUT THE REFEREE(S)? These are left of the hook entirely. Yet, I have a very simple proposal (originally due to Alva Noe, I think) that should improve the referee process with little downside: accepted, refereed papers and books should be accompanied with the name of the referees and, ideally, their reports, if only, in the online edition. (Note rejections can still be done anonymously.) I have written about this before (in the context of plagiarism: http://www.newappsblog.com/2010/09/on-the-significance-of-a-recent-high-profile-case-of-plagiarism-and-what-we-can-do-about-it.html).
I hope this will have four positive consequences:
2. It should increase transparency about intellectual networks. Small groups of incrowds have a tendency (perhaps unconsciously) to favor work done by friends or that cites them.
3. With publicity becoming the norm referees have an incentive to do diligent work, that is, try to catch plagiarism, make sure that relevant scholarship is cited, objections are raised, etc.
4. It makes the role and choices of of the editor subject of more careful scrutinity. Now they often appear as a neutral clearinghouse--but in their choice of referees and their interpretations of them they have considerable leeway.
Right now refereeing is organized like a secret priestcraft. The underlying message is, 'trust us.' But this will not do anymore. We should not give up on expert review, and we should promote the gift-giving culture that is a quickly vanishing within academia. Some mild transparency may actually go a long way here.
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