Managing internal nomination and peer review processes to reduce bias

Abstract

Peer review in its many incarnations is essential to the functioning of the research enterprise yet it is not without weaknesses. Various forms of bias, for example, threaten the integrity and effectiveness of peer review at journals, funding agencies, and even for programs within institutions. Recent innovations and scholarly research on peer review can help program administrators, reviewers, and award committees improve practices and mitigate bias. The U-M Office of the Vice President for Research has prepared this guidance on strategies to reduce bias in peer review, with a focus on internal award nominations and funding programs. The intention of this information is not to make peer review an unnecessarily onerous task for any one particular group, but to help educate the research community and ensure internal review practices are equitable and transparent.