Triple-blind review as a solution to gender bias in academic publishing, a theoretical approach

ABSTRACT

Existing research has found that when a journal transitions from single-blind review to double-blind review, female authorship increases. This article reports the findings of a first-of-its-kind study designed to measure if transitioning to triple-blind review would further reduce gender bias in academic publishing. The findings as to whether triple-blind review is an effective gender bias mitigation strategy helps better inform journals as to the costs and benefits of its implementation. Furthermore, the finding provides a better understanding to the academic community at large regarding issues of gender bias and scholarship. Finally, these findings invite further investigation in future research for peer review best practices and the problem of female underrepresentation in academic publishing.

KEYWORDS:

• Gender discrimination
• scholarship
• academic journals
• peer review
• female representation
• journal editor

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).