Safeguarding Scientific Integrity: Examining Conflicts of Interest in the Peer Review Process

TL;DR

This study investigates conflicts of interest in peer review for a special journal issue on fertility and mental health, revealing undisclosed biases that threaten research integrity and proposing solutions to enhance transparency.

Contribution

It provides a detailed case analysis of conflicts of interest in peer review, highlighting the need for improved transparency and accountability in scholarly publishing.

Findings

Undisclosed conflicts of interest were identified among authors, editors, and reviewers.

Conflicts of interest involved anti-abortion advocacy groups, compromising objectivity.

Recommendations include open peer review and stricter disclosure policies.

Abstract

This case study analyzes the expertise, potential conflicts of interest, and objectivity of editors, authors, and peer reviewers involved in a 2022 special journal issue on fertility, pregnancy, and mental health. Data were collected on qualifications, organizational affiliations, and relationships among six papers' authors, three guest editors, and twelve peer reviewers. Two articles were found to have undisclosed conflicts of interest between authors, an editor, and multiple peer reviewers affiliated with anti-abortion advocacy and lobbying groups, indicating compromised objectivity. This lack of transparency undermines the peer review process and enables biased research and disinformation proliferation. To increase integrity, we recommend multiple solutions: open peer review, expanded conflict of interest disclosure, increased stakeholder accountability, and retraction when ethical standards are violated. By illuminating noncompliance with ethical peer review guidelines, this study aims to raise awareness to help prevent the propagation of partisan science through respected scholarly channels.