Al-Beltagi M. Fishing reviewing: A threat to research integrity and credibility. World J Methodol 2025; 15(3): 98795 [DOI: 10.5662/wjm.v15.i3.98795]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Mohammed Al-Beltagi, MD, PhD, Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Al-Bahr Street, the Medical Complex, Tanta 31511, Alghrabia, Egypt. mbelrem@hotmail.com
Research Domain of This Article
Ethics
Article-Type of This Article
Editorial
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Methodol. Sep 20, 2025; 15(3): 98795 Published online Sep 20, 2025. doi: 10.5662/wjm.v15.i3.98795
Fishing reviewing: A threat to research integrity and credibility
Mohammed Al-Beltagi
Mohammed Al-Beltagi, Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta 31511, Alghrabia, Egypt
Mohammed Al-Beltagi, Department of Pediatric, University Medical Center, King Abdulla Medical City, Arabian Gulf University, Manama 26671, Bahrain
Author contributions: Al-Beltagi M conceptualized and developed the manuscript, performed all literature reviews, and formulated the arguments presented; Al-Beltagi M independently wrote, revised, and refined the content, including the development of new terminology and framing of ideas; Al-Beltagi M responded to peer review feedback and made all necessary adjustments to enhance clarity, structure, and readability.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The author reports no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Mohammed Al-Beltagi, MD, PhD, Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Al-Bahr Street, the Medical Complex, Tanta 31511, Alghrabia, Egypt. mbelrem@hotmail.com
Received: July 5, 2024 Revised: November 6, 2024 Accepted: December 2, 2024 Published online: September 20, 2025 Processing time: 243 Days and 9 Hours
Abstract
The rise of the “fishing reviewer” phenomenon presents a significant threat to the integrity of academic publishing, undermining the credibility of the peer review process and eroding trust in scientific journals. This editorial explores the risk factors contributing to this troubling trend and identifies key indicators to recognize such reviewers. To address this issue, we propose strategies, including enhanced reviewer vetting, comprehensive training, and transparent recognition policies to foster a culture of accountability and ethical conduct in scholarly review. By implementing these measures, we can safeguard the quality and credibility of academic research.
Core Tip: “Fishing reviewers” conduct superficial peer reviews to gain recognition without providing meaningful feedback. This practice undermines the integrity of academic publishing by allowing substandard research to pass through the review process. Recognizing and addressing this issue is crucial for maintaining the credibility of scholarly communication. By implementing targeted strategies to identify and combat “fishing reviewers”, we can preserve the quality and reliability of scientific journals.
