Phases of Process

A critical component in assuring core values of peer review is the continuous review of peer review activities.  The NIH has established a Peer Review Evaluation Group to lay the foundation for continuous review of peer review and has commenced a dynamic effort to assess the cumulative outcomes of the concurrent changes being brought about by the peer review enhancements.  The group’s efforts include:  

• On-line surveys of multiple audiences.
• New metrics to track key elements of peer review changes.  
• Data-driven mechanisms to evaluate review outcomes.
• Peer review pilots and assessment of those pilots.

NIH will soon be launching two online surveys to gather the opinions of peer reviewers and grant applicants, respectively, about recent changes to its peer review process. 

A randomly selected sample of 4,710 reviewers and applicants will be invited by mail and e-mail to participate in the surveys.  Starting in October 2009, they will have the opportunity to share their opinions about changes implemented by NIH as part of the Enhancing Peer Review Initiative.  The online surveys will be brief and anonymous, and participation will be entirely voluntary. 

RTI International, an independent research organization based in North Carolina, will conduct the surveys and compile the responses.  Information gathered through the online surveys will help NIH to further enrich the peer review process.