Expediting peer review: just say no.

Abstract

Free AccessAnalysis and PerspectivesExpediting Peer Review: Just Say No Stuart F. Quan, M.D., F.A.A.S.M. Stuart F. Quan, M.D., F.A.A.S.M. Editor, Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine; Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Arizona Respiratory Center, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ Search for more papers by this author Published Online:September 15, 2014https://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.4018Cited by:2SectionsPDF ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations AboutINTRODUCTIONPeer review of manuscripts is the bane of the editorial process in most scientific journals. The editor and associate editor cannot be experts in all scientific areas covered by a journal. Therefore, in many cases, without peer review or an external opinion, it is difficult or impossible to determine the quality and relevance of a submission. Reviewers inform the editor whether the paper reports relevant new information, has valid data and is readable.1,2 Admittedly, the process is imperfect, and occasionally a deserving paper is rejected or a badly flawed paper is accepted. However, in most cases, papers are improved in response to peer review, even those that are rejected and ultimately published in another journal. Why then is peer review an issue in most journals? The answer is the inability in many cases to obtain timely reviews.3,4 The Journal tries to notify authors of the acceptability of their submission within 3-4 weeks of submission. Sadly, at an average of 49 days (Min-Max: 2-144 days), the Journal is not close to achieving this goal and failure to obtain timely peer reviews is one of the biggest obstacles.For an editor, there are two phases in obtaining a review of a manuscript. The first is identifying and receiving agreement by qualified individuals to do a review. Most people quickly accept or decline an invitation to perform a manuscript review. However, occasionally there is no response or one that is quite delayed. The second is receiving the review. Most reviews are received by the deadline and reflect thoughtful consideration of the paper. However, a minority do not arrive by the deadline, and some are extremely late even after repeated reminders being sent. Furthermore, a small number are never received. Delays in both these phases result in delays, sometimes quite prolonged, in notifying an author about the status of their paper.What can be done? The answer can be summarized in a two letter word, “no.” No matter how interesting the article appears to be or how much you want to “help out,” just say “no” if you cannot with great certainty complete the review in the allocated time. Alternatively, if you say “yes,” there is a professional obligation to complete the task by the deadline. This guideline also applies to requests to write editorials, review papers, book chapters and many other academic and clinical activities in our lives as well. It is absolutely fine to decline because you are too busy or have other priorities. Failure to produce by the deadline creates consternation and more work for everyone involved.As my tenure as editor of the Journal nears completion, I have been blessed by interactions with many dedicated deputy and associate editors, editorial board members, reviewers and editorial staff. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of many, the curse of the late peer review has not been lifted. Perhaps if paradoxically more say “no” rather than “yes,” the next editor can dispel the curse.CITATIONQuan SF. Expediting peer review: just say no. J Clin Sleep Med 2014;10(9):941.REFERENCES1 Twaij H, Oussedik S, Hoffmeyer PPeer review. Bone Joint J; 2014;96-B:436-41, 24692607. CrossrefGoogle Scholar2 Roohi E, Mahian OSome opinions on the review process of research papers destined for publication. Sci Eng Ethics; 2014430[Epub ahead of print]. Google Scholar3 Hodgkinson MWhat to do about late peer reviewers?; 2007428Available at: http://journalology.blogspot.com/2007/04/what-to-do-about-late-peer-reviewers.html. Google Scholar4 Dynamic EcologyWhy the peer-review process is so slow.; 2002918Availalbe at: http://dynamicecology.wordpress.com/2012/09/18/why-the-peer-review-process-is-so-slow/. Google Scholar Next article FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited byEnd of the BeginningQuan S Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, Vol. 10, No. 12, (1265-1265), Online publication date: 15-Dec-2014.Expediting Peer Review: Why Say YesQuan S Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, Vol. 10, No. 11, (1167-1167), Online publication date: 15-Nov-2014. Volume 10 • Issue 09 • September 15, 2014ISSN (print): 1550-9389ISSN (online): 1550-9397Frequency: Monthly Metrics History Published onlineSeptember 15, 2014 Information© 2014 American Academy of Sleep MedicinePDF download