Harnessing AI efficiencies and human expertise for enhancing editorial and peer review processes: An interview with Shilpi Mehra
The increasingly widespread use and availability of diverse Al tools has sparked discussions about their use and influence in research and scholarly publishing. Despite these debates, it's impossible to ignore the potential of Al in scholarly publishing. However, relying solely on Al may not fully address all the concerns; instead, using its power to complement human insights and expertise may be the key to making headway in addressing concerns of overburdened editorial and peer review systems. While Al can certainly improve efficiency, the value of human insights and experience cannot be overlooked, especially in the nuanced and context-driven research environment.
Editorial teams encounter numerous challenges, including heavy workloads, tight deadlines, and the need to keep up with the fast-paced digital landscape. Also, the rise of papermills continues to threaten research integrity, adding another layer of complexity to their already demanding roles of journal editorial staff and peer reviewers. So, how can we confront these challenges head-on?
In this interview, Shilpi Mehra, who heads Research Integrity and Paperpal Preflight at CACTUS, she shares her insights into the key challenges faced by the peer review system and the role of a hybrid approach that combines Al and human insights to enhance editorial and peer review processes, while upholding the highest standards of integrity.
What are some of the challenges being faced with the traditional model of peer review?
One of the major challenges faced by the traditional model of peer review is the ability to detect research misconduct. Fraudulent activities in scholarly research are on the rise. This has resulted in significant challenges in maintaining research integrity.
Traditional peer-review processes often struggle to detect sophisticated misconduct. As a result, this has led to increased retractions and a growing concern about the credibility of published work.
Would you be able to elaborate on some of the issues that are faced regarding research misconduct?
In my opinion, several factors could contribute to this issue. For example, the rise of papermills, the production of fabricated content, and the manipulation of data have all escalated. Additionally, the rapid adoption of Generative AI has made it easier for individuals to commit plagiarism, further complicating the landscape.
What role do you think technology can play in the peer review workflow?
Like I mentioned, there are various challenges faced in the peer review workflow at the editorial, peer reviewer and publisher levels. For us to address these challenges, I believe that a hybrid approach will be necessary. Such an approach that combines AI tools with human oversight is emerging as a viable solution.
AI can enhance efficiency and scalability, enabling early detection of fraudulent research while providing 24/7 availability. However, human reviewers bring essential contextual understanding and ethical considerations, which are crucial for navigating complex cases of misconduct.
What do you envision is the future of AI in peer review?
In my experience, a combination of AI with human oversight allows for a more effective review process. It will also help by reducing the burden on peer reviewers and editors while maintaining high standards of quality. For instance, tools like Paperpal Preflight for Editorial Desk illustrate how integrating AI checks with human reviews can help identify and mitigate fraudulent activities.
By fostering a culture that values both AI and human intervention, the academic publishing industry can strengthen its defenses against research misconduct. Having such a balanced approach can not only improve the integrity of published research but also enhance the credibility of the scholarly ecosystem as a whole.
For more insights, be sure to check out the poster that was presented at the 8th World Conference on Research Integrity held in June 2024 in Athens, Greece, which can be found below.
About Shilpi Mehra:
Shilpi Mehra heads Research Integrity and Paperpal Preflight at Cactus Communications, driving initiatives to enhance the quality and credibility of academic submissions. With over a decade of experience in public health research and research management at the NHS and Imperial College London, she specializes in utilizing AI tools with human expertise to streamline the publishing process. At CACTUS, Shilpi leads the Paperpal Preflight products for Authors and Editorial Desks. Her work focuses on supporting researchers and publishers with upholding the highest standards of quality and ethics in scholarly work.
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