The Ethical Dimension of Peer Review: Insights from Editors of Philosophy Journals in Spain

Background Peer review is central to maintaining research integrity and quality assurance. However, its ethical dimension—particularly how editors understand and apply ethical principles in practice—remains underexplored, especially in the humanities. Objectives To examine how editors of philosophy journals in Spain perceive the ethical dimension of peer review and to identify dominant perceptions, challenges, and ethical tensions surrounding the process. Methods A mixed-methods design combined an online survey (n = 46) with nine in-depth interviews. The data were analysed thematically to identify shared patterns and discursive consensuses regarding the strengths, problems, and ethical aspects of peer review. Results Editors expressed a generally positive view of peer review as a mechanism for improving quality and supporting editorial decision-making. However, they also reported significant challenges: difficulty finding qualified reviewers, inconsistencies in evaluation standards, and, above all, limited community engagement in the review process. Few respondents reported instances of dishonesty, although some pointed to biases linked to different philosophical schools or traditions. This lack of engagement was attributed to academic overload and the limited institutional recognition of peer review as scholarly work. Conclusions This study highlights the tension between the ethical ideals of peer review and its everyday practice. Strengthening recognition of reviewers’ contributions, fostering feedback and transparency, and promoting collective responsibility could help align practices with ethical standards. The findings are particularly relevant in light of current initiatives, such as CoARA, advocating more qualitative and responsible approaches to research assessment.