We need to talk about peer-review – experienced reviewers are not endangered species, but they need motivation

Abstract Reviewer refusal is a phenomenon associated with different causes, including reviewer fatigue, lack of time, dissatisfaction with the editorial system, among other reasons. This article discusses the main factors involved in the reviewer refusal and the “peer-review crisis” from a broad perspective. In addition, reasons that make a researcher accept or not a review invitation are also described. This article provides some alternatives that can help in the reversal of peer-review crisis and decrease high reviewer refusal rates, and which may also engage experienced reviewers in the peer-review process. Carefully selecting reviewers, publicly acknowledge them, and offering non-monetary rewards appear to be good strategies for engaging reviewers. In addition, highly productive reviewers should be recognized by the journals.