How to avoid subjective biases in the journal review process?

The primary strategies to mitigate subjective biases in journal review involve double-blind peer review and structured reviewer guidelines. Implementing double-blind reviews conceals author and reviewer identities to reduce affiliation or reputation bias. Clear reviewer instructions emphasizing objective evaluation against pre-defined criteria promote focus on scholarly merit. Training reviewers on unconscious bias recognition and mandatory disclosure of conflicts of interest are essential safeguards. Editorial oversight, including adjudicating discrepancies between reviews, further reduces individual subjectivity. Key implementation steps include: adopting manuscript submission systems enabling anonymization; developing and distributing detailed scoring rubrics focusing on methodology, originality, and validity; incorporating bias training modules within reviewer orientation; establishing a transparent mechanism for conflict declaration and reviewer assignment monitoring by editorial staff; conducting periodic audits of review outcomes by editorial boards to identify potential bias patterns through bibliometric analysis or review consistency checks. Adherence to these protocols enhances fairness and credibility.