Uncovering the malpractices in publishing: A global review system using disruptive technologies

In recent years, traditional peer review has faced criticism due to the rise of fake peer-reviewers and a lack of transparency and accountability in the review process. This has led to instances where research ideas are stolen or published elsewhere while authors wait for reviewer feedback. Moreover, the competitive research culture has led to an increase in misconduct, making the need for a more effective peer review process even more crucial. While double-blind peer review has been suggested as a possible solution, it has also been found to have its flaws in practice (Thomas, 2015). As a result, there is a need to explore new theoretical and technological solutions that can improve the peer review process. One such solution is the use of disruptive technologies such as AI and Blockchain, which can “open up” peer review process to global review process by identifying potential expert reviewers in academia and industry. As a result, the risks of non-expert reviewers engaging in publishing malpractices can be mitigated. Additionally, there are a wide variety of ways in which this new process can be implemented, offering a range of options to improve the peer review process for the better. This paper proposes a technological solution to address publishing malpractices in review process.