Direct comparison
Single Anonymous Vs Double Anonymous Peer Review: Key Differences & Comparison | CASRAI
Single-anonymous and double-anonymous peer review differ in who knows whose identity. In single-anonymous review, reviewers know the authors but authors do not know the reviewers; in double-anonymous review, neither side knows the other’s identity. Open peer review is a third, more transparent model.
Side-by-side comparison
| Dimension | Single-anonymous | Double-anonymous |
|---|---|---|
| Reviewers know authors? | Yes — author identities are visible to reviewers | No — author identities are concealed from reviewers |
| Authors know reviewers? | No — reviewer identities are concealed | No — reviewer identities are concealed |
| Also called | Single-blind | Double-blind |
| Main aim | Candid review via reviewer anonymity | Reduce bias linked to author identity, institution, gender or seniority |
| Author preparation | Standard manuscript with author details | Manuscript must be anonymised before submission |
| Risk | Possible bias for or against known authors | Identity may be guessed from topic, citations, or self-references |
| Transparency | Low — identities not disclosed to authors | Low — identities not disclosed to either side |
| Common in | Long traditional across many disciplines | Widely used, especially in fields prioritising bias reduction |
| Contrast model | Open peer review discloses identities (and may publish reports) | Open peer review discloses identities (and may publish reports) |
Common questions
FAQ
What is the difference in one sentence?+
In single-anonymous review the reviewers see who the authors are but the authors do not see who reviewed them; in double-anonymous review, neither side knows the other’s identity.
Does double-anonymous review remove bias?+
It is intended to reduce bias related to author identity, institution, gender, or seniority by concealing who the authors are. It does not eliminate bias entirely, because reviewers can sometimes infer identity from the topic, writing style, citations, or self-references, and it does not address bias unrelated to identity.
What is open peer review?+
Open peer review is a third model in which identities are disclosed — reviewers and authors may know each other, and some journals publish the review reports (and reviewer names) alongside the article. It prioritises transparency and accountability over anonymity.
