A Case Study on Transforming NGO Publications into Peer-Reviewed Articles: Ethical Considerations in the Peer-Review Process

In this article, I raise serious ethical concerns about the integrity of the peer-review process surrounding a recent virtual special issue (VSI), which features updated and shortened versions of chapters from a book published almost simultaneously. Both the book and the VSI are largely authored, peer-reviewed, and edited by individuals affiliated with an NGO. A central issue addressed throughout the paper is the rationale for transforming book chapters into articles for a peer-reviewed journal. The motivation, perhaps, can be found in the editors’ own words, expressing their intent to use this “peer-reviewed and published” evidence to influence “policy-makers and practitioners across the world.” It is evident that articles published in peer-reviewed journals carry significantly more weight in shaping public policy than a book released by an NGO. This does not imply that the book or the special issue contain research of poor quality; however, it raises important questions about the transparency and rigor of the peer-review process.