What potential issue may arise due to the peer review process in research?

The potential issue of conflicts of interest due to reviewer bias is a significant concern within the peer review process in research. Peer review is designed to ensure the quality and integrity of scholarly work; however, reviewers may have pre-existing relationships, competitive interests, or biases that could affect their objectivity. If a reviewer has a conflict of interest—such as a personal or professional stake in the research topic—they might unknowingly or unintentionally influence the evaluation of the manuscript. This can lead to unfair advantages or disadvantages for the authors, ultimately compromising the quality of research and the credibility of published findings.

While delays in publication, requirements for additional funding, and a lack of available reviewers can also be issues within the broader context of the research and publishing process, they do not directly pertain to the integrity of the peer review itself in the way that conflicts of interest among reviewers do.