Essays on science evaluation

This PhD thesis explores various aspects of science evaluation, with a focus on the peer review process. Peer review is a critical mechanism for maintaining the quality of scientific research, but little is known about how it actually operates. The research examines factors influencing paper selection, the duration of peer review, and the role of reviewer comments. The key findings indicate that while paper quality plays a significant role in the peer review process, author reputation is important for junior researchers. Additionally, papers that attract more attention tend to go through peer review faster, and reviewers are more likely to praise authors with whom they share cultural similarities. The study also addresses the growing demand for digital skills in the scientific workforce, analyzing job advertisements to highlight trends in digital competencies such as data analysis and programming. Overall, the thesis provides insights into peer review behavior and the impact of digitalization on the scientific community.