Our commitment to rapid publication

Abstract

Authors consider a number of variables in selecting the journal to which they will submit their manuscripts. These include 1) the apparent prestige of the target journal (as this reflects on the importance of their work), 2) the target audience (Who are the readers? What is the extent of the readership?), and 3) the integrity and efficiency of the review process (especially the time to publication). Success in the first variable is seen in our citation data, as Neurology is the most widely cited of the clinical neurology journals (eliciting about 55,000 citations/year). Regarding the second variable, Neurology has earned its reputation as a leading biomedical journal with the largest readership (now weekly) for practicing and academic clinical neurologists. Our editorial staff is committed to rapid publication of the best peer-reviewed articles that enhance patient care, education, clinical research, and professionalism without sacrificing the integrity of the peer review process or jeopardizing our commitment to quality. This editorial focuses on steps we have taken to address this third variable of the integrity and efficiency of the review process. ### Growing demand. Each week the editorial office receives more than 70 new manuscripts for consideration. We are approaching the submission numbers enjoyed by four of the “big five” general medical journals ( New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, JAMA, and BMJ ), which receive 6,000 to 10,000 manuscripts/year, and more than those received by the fifth of this elite circle, Annals of Internal Medicine (about 3,000/year), and we handle this number with a much smaller editorial staff. As we continue to enhance Neurology with new features (we are planning a new section …