One of the most common reasons I
return a newly submitted manuscript is because the authors did not remove all
identifying information, such as the where the study was done (or the IRB
location). Why is this important? The basis of peer review is that it is double
blind, meaning the author does not know who the reviewers are nor the reviewers
know who conducted the study. Everyone has personal biases, and making the
review anonymous provides some safe guards.
From the reviewer
side, he or she may know the author or the institution and if the reviewer was
aware of it, he or she might be easier on the author or tougher based upon
their beliefs. From the author side, they may feel the need to argue or
complain to the reviewer if he or she was known. Keeping it anonymous provides
distance for both parties.
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