Case 86. Citing Work Known through the Review Process

Situation

Beth Rosen in working on a project involving social policy in housing. Because of her reputation in this area of research, she is sent a manuscript that deals with a similar issue in another country. Beth does the review and returns it to the editorial office. However, she is very interested in contacting the author of the piece to discuss shared problems and, perhaps, to share instrumentation. She would also like to cite the piece in a grant proposal she has in progress.

Questions

1.    How should Beth proceed?
2.    What are the editors obligations to the author and the reviewer?
3.    What are the rights of the author?


     Reflect on the above questions and form your own answers before clicking the Discussion key to review the commentary provided with this case.

Discussion

Beth should wait until the deliberations on the manuscript are completed. At that point, she may contact the editor and make her request to be given the author's name. The editor does not have the authority to permit citation of a piece under review and may want to check with the author about releasing any information to the reviewer. The norm of collaboration (and sheer interest in similar projects) are likely to result in the release of such information and resulting contact between the two researchers but the author has the right to refuse citation if he/she considers the paper in draft and, in particular, if it has not been presented in any public forum, for example, conferences.