Lori Meadows
The peer-review system has long been a staple of academic publishing, but the question of whether peer reviewers should be paid for their work has stirred debate. Traditionally, peer reviewers are compensated with salaries from their universities, but some argue that this system undervalues the time and expertise of reviewers, especially as the volume of papers continues to grow. The emergence of paid fast-track peer-review services and the rise of companies like Rubriq and Veruscript, which offer monetary rewards or publishing credits to reviewers, signal a shift towards recognising the economic worth of peer review. However, critics worry that introducing money into the equation could create a two-tier system that prioritises profit over the quality and integrity of the review process. The discussion around paying for peer review extends beyond academia, as companies like Scholar Launch offer high school students the opportunity to work with mentors and publish research papers to strengthen their college applications, often at a significant cost.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Students pay for college peer review | Yes |
| Students pay for peer-reviewed articles | Yes |
| Students pay for online services that help them get published in peer-reviewed journals | Yes |
| Students pay for fast-track peer review | Yes |
| Peer reviewers are paid | Sometimes |
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What You'll Learn
Students pay for peer-reviewed publications to boost college applications
The pressure to get into college has led to an increase in students paying for peer-reviewed publications to boost their college applications. This trend has been exacerbated by the pandemic, which closed labs and restricted fieldwork, forcing students to find alternative ways to showcase their research abilities.
One example of this is the Journal of Student Research, which has seen an increased volume of submissions during the pandemic. While this journal relies on more than 90 reviewers from colleges across the US and claims to be "peer-reviewed, the gold standard of traditional academic publishing", there are questions about the stringency of its review process. Authors are required to pay an "article processing charge" of $50 upon submission and $200 upon acceptance, with an additional $300 fee for an expedited "fast-track" review.
Another popular option for students is Scholar Launch, an online service that connects high school students with mentors who help them publish research papers. The program fees start at $3,500, and Scholar Launch claims to have multiple publication partners, all of which are peer-reviewed journals. However, it has been noted that Scholar Launch also displays preprints, which are not considered publications "in the traditional sense" and are not vetted by the editorial board.
While some may argue that these services provide valuable opportunities for students to enhance their college applications, others criticize the potential for a pay-to-play system in academic publishing. The prospect of paying for peer-reviewed publications raises concerns about the potential advantages it gives to students who can afford it and the potential impact on the quality of reviews.
Additionally, it is worth noting that some colleges, like Oberlin College, offer credits to students for passing specific research-focused courses, further incentivizing students to pursue these publication opportunities. Overall, the trend of students paying for peer-reviewed publications to boost their college applications highlights the increasing pressure and competition in the college admissions process.
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Online services charge students to connect with mentors
Online services that connect students with mentors are becoming increasingly popular. These platforms offer a range of services, from career advice and coaching to academic support and industry-specific mentorship. One such example is Scholar Launch, which charges $3,500 for its programs. The service connects high school students with mentors who work with them on research papers that can enhance their college applications.
Another platform, MentorCruise, offers 1-on-1 mentorship to students, professionals, managers, and executives. The platform has a wide range of mentors from various industries, including software engineering, product design, and business. MentorCruise offers a low-cost, monthly subscription model with no lock-ins or hidden fees, providing accelerated professional growth.
UStrive is another online service that matches college and high school students with volunteer mentors from top companies. They offer free, one-on-one coaching to students in financial need, helping them navigate the college application and financial aid processes.
These online mentoring platforms provide students with valuable guidance and support, enhancing their academic and professional pursuits. The services are tailored to meet the specific needs of students, whether it's career navigation or assistance with college applications. By working with mentors, students can gain industry insights, develop new skills, and make more informed decisions about their future paths.
Additionally, some platforms like Mentessa offer mentorship to employees within companies, fostering professional development and talent development. This approach helps build connections based on skills rather than departmental divisions. Mentessa offers three pricing options: a free option, a standard package starting at 99€/month, and a premium package starting at 199€/month.
Overall, these online services provide students and professionals with valuable mentorship opportunities, connecting them with industry experts and resources to support their academic and career goals.
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Students pay to expedite peer-review
Students and academics have been increasingly turning to online services that offer to help them get published in peer-reviewed journals. These services, such as Scholar Launch, charge fees starting at $3,500 and provide students with mentors to help them produce research papers that can enhance their college applications. The Journal of Student Research, a self-described peer-reviewed publication, has also been criticised for charging an "article processing fee" of $50 upon submission and $200 upon acceptance, with an additional $300 fee to expedite a "fast-track" review in four to five weeks.
While some argue that paying reviewers can help fix the peer-review process by providing incentives for reviewers to produce higher-quality work and expediting the overall publication timeline, others worry that introducing financial rewards could lead reviewers to prioritise speed over the quality of their reviews. Some also argue that a paid peer-review system would create a two-tier system where wealthier researchers have an unfair advantage in publishing.
It is important to note that peer review is traditionally considered a mutual exchange necessary for the advancement of science, and reviewers are usually employed academics who view their work as a duty to the academic community rather than a paid service. However, as the demand for peer review increases and the availability of experts declines, the current peer-review model may need to be reformed to prevent the proliferation of predatory journals offering "pay-to-publish" models without peer review.
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Universities pay academics for peer review
The peer review system in academic publishing is a time-consuming and costly process, with reviewers spending over 100 million hours on it in 2020 alone. While some argue that peer review is a service and should be free, others believe that reviewers should be compensated for their time and expertise. Universities typically pay the salaries of academics who conduct peer reviews as part of their job, and in some countries, universities pay external reviewers of theses an 'honorarium' of around $800.
There are arguments for and against universities paying for peer reviews. Some believe that financial incentives could increase the pool of reviewers, improve the speed and quality of reviews, and tap into retired researchers. On the other hand, critics argue that paying for peer reviews could create a two-tier system where researchers who can afford it gain an unfair advantage. Additionally, it may erode the academic ethos of the pursuit of knowledge and increase the total budget for research.
Some universities and journals have experimented with paying for peer reviews. For example, in the 1970s, it was standard practice to pay referees for article peer reviews at IPC Science & Technology Press. However, this was stopped by academic editorial boards due to concerns about academic integrity. More recently, a Colombian university offered to pay a reviewer €36 for their work.
Overall, the question of whether universities should pay for peer reviews remains a subject of debate in the academic community. While some argue that reviewers should be compensated for their time and expertise, others worry about the potential negative consequences of introducing financial incentives into the peer review system.
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Students receive college credits for peer-reviewed research
Students are increasingly paying for services that help them become published, "peer-reviewed" authors to enhance their college applications. For example, online services like Scholar Launch, which started in 2019, offer programs starting at $3,500. Scholar Launch connects high school students with mentors who help them produce research papers that can be published. Similarly, the Journal of Student Research, a peer-reviewed academic publisher, charges authors an "article processing fee" of $50 at submission and $200 at acceptance, with an additional $300 fee to expedite the review process.
Some colleges, such as Oberlin College, offer course credits to students for passing certain programs, such as Pioneer courses. Oberlin College's annual reviews have found that the research conducted for Pioneer courses "far exceeded" what would typically be expected to earn course credit. Pioneer pays Oberlin a small fee for each non-scholarship student given credit.
While some students receive course credit for their research, others are paid for their work. Some faculty members have expressed that they would prefer to offer course credit instead of payment to students working in their labs, as funding for student labor can be difficult to secure. This practice has been referred to as "double-dipping," implying that it is unfair for students to receive both payment and course credit for their work. However, others argue that there is nothing inherently wrong with compensating students for their time and effort while also providing academic credit, as students are regularly compensated for educational experiences in other areas of higher education.
Some colleges and majors offer designated courses for students conducting research, with conditions for how credit is earned. For example, Cornell University has a general rule of understanding that each credit hour is worth 3 hours of work per week, although faculty may expect students to work 4 or 5 hours per week for each credit. The amount of credit received, the number of hours worked per week, and the method of progress reporting are determined by the supervising faculty member.
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Frequently asked questions
Some companies that help high school students get their work peer-reviewed are Scholar Launch, Lumiere, and Pioneer. Scholar Launch connects students with mentors who work with them on research papers that can be published and enhance their college applications. Lumiere and Pioneer are also mentioned as platforms that help students get their work peer-reviewed.
Scholar Launch's programs start at $3,500. The Journal of Student Research, a peer-reviewed journal, charges an "article processing fee" of $50 at submission and $200 at acceptance. They also offer an additional $300 "fast-track" review option that takes four to five weeks.
Some tips for students writing their first peer review include reading the document all the way through before making any comments, following the feedback form and the issues you are supposed to address, and avoiding letting your own opinions bias your review.
Some people believe that peer reviewers should be paid, especially since the current pool of peer reviewers is too small. However, others argue that offering a monetary reward can "crowd out" the intrinsic, non-financial incentives for doing something well.
