Challenges in peer review, a lesson for improving technicalgovernment regulations in the hydrotechnical field

Since hydrotechnical is a broad topic, the peer review process is extremely important in maintaining the quality and validity of technical government regulations.Peer review is necessary to improve government technical regulations in the hydrotechnical field, as it is observed from ISI articles on some of these regulations which are characterized by eclecticism.A primary challenge in peer review is finding specialists who are capable of reviewing technical documents.This challenge is also relevant regarding government regulations.Solutions to this challenge include maintaining a database of academic specialists, incentives to participate, and encouraging collaboration between agencies and academic institutions.Disclosure of the reviewers' identities and the provision of guidelines for the review process of technical regulations should be a priority of the relevant authorities, as it would promote transparency.Regulations should be designed as adaptable and responsive to changes and new information in ored to address the dynamic nature of hydrotechnical issues.