Resources
Essential Readings for Editors
ICMJE Recommendations
The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) developed the “Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals” (ICMJE Recommendations). These recommendations include a range of topics, including ethical guidelines for authorship, conflicts of interest, and patient protection. They also provide instructions for authors on manuscript preparation and submission. For editors, the ICMJE Recommendations outline established best practices for conducting peer review and handling submissions with confidentiality, timeliness, and sound editorial decision-making.
Link: https://www.icmje.org/journals-following-the-icmje-recommendations/
WAME
The World Association of Medical Editors (WAME), established in 1995, is a resource of peer-reviewed medical journals from its membership of over 1,000 journals across 92 countries. This international, non-profit organization fosters collaboration and communication among editors through various initiatives. WAME's core mission is to elevate editorial standards and promote professionalism within medical editing. This is achieved by providing educational resources, encouraging self-criticism and self-regulation, and supporting research on editorial practices.
Link: https://wame.org/
COPE
The Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) is an international organization established to provide advice and guidance on best practices for dealing with ethical issues in journal publishing. Originally focused on editors and publishers of academic journals, COPE's membership has expanded to include universities, research institutions, and individuals involved in publication ethics. COPE offers various resources and guidance, including: (i) Policies and practices on good publication ethics; (ii) An eLearning course on topics such as plagiarism, falsification, authorship, conflicts of interest, and misconduct; and (iii) Participation in discussions on current ethical issues.
Academic Journals Are a Lucrative Scam – and We’re Determined to Change That
The article discusses academic publishing issues, particularly the monopoly of publishers like Elsevier and Wiley that charge high fees for access, despite free labor from researchers. It highlights 'diamond' open access as an alternative but notes challenges for academics reliant on established journals.
Addressing Race and Racism in Editorial Policy
The introduction humorously references a segment by comedian Bill Maher to illustrate the unproven yet strongly held belief that articles published in scholarly journals influence readers' thoughts and behaviors. The author reflects on how editors and publishers, including those at Advances in Nursing Science, select content with the hope and belief that it will have an impact, even if this influence can't be fully measured or proven.
Link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nae2.12040
Are Peer Reviewers Encouraged to Use Reporting Guidelines? A Survey of 116 Health Research Journals
A survey of 116 health research journals found only 35% provided online instructions for peer reviewers, and less than half mentioned reporting guidelines. While established guidelines like CONSORT, PRISMA, and STROBE were suggested, they were rarely integrated. Broader use of resources like EQUATOR Network was recommended.
Engage more early-career scientists as peer reviewers
This article highlights the value of involving early-career scientists in peer reviews, particularly through group reviews like those organized by the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS). By participating in these reviews, junior researchers can help reduce the review burden on the scientific community while benefiting from career development and gaining insights into improving their own research.
Ethics in Scientific Publishing: Avoiding Plagiarism and Ensuring Integrity
This article highlights the importance of ethics in scientific publishing, focusing on avoiding plagiarism, ensuring data integrity, and maintaining transparency in authorship and conflicts of interest. It also addresses the role of peer review and the responsibilities of journals and institutions in promoting ethical standards to preserve trust in research.
Link: https://publishingresearchconsortium.com/ethics-in-scientific-publishing/
How Digital Publishing is Radically Changing the Landscape of Scientific Research
Digital publishing is revolutionizing scientific research by enabling faster dissemination, open access, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Key trends include preprints, enhanced data transparency, multimedia integration, and AI-driven processes, all accelerating global scientific progress. Despite challenges like predatory journals, digital platforms make research more accessible and impactful.
Link: https://publishingresearchconsortium.com/digital-publishing-scientific-research/
How to Become Good at Peer Review: A Guide for Young Scientists
A guide for young scientists on conducting effective and ethical peer reviews, with tips on expertise, deadlines, bias, and constructive feedback. The article emphasizes impartiality, confidentiality, and continuous learning.
If you can’t be kind in peer review, be neutral
This article emphasizes the importance of neutral, objective language in peer review. It advises reviewers to avoid emotive words, expressive punctuation, and stylistic choices that convey personal bias, such as rhetorical questions or subjective adjectives. Instead, reviewers should focus on constructive criticism to maintain objectivity and professionalism. The article also highlights how subtle language choices can influence the tone of a review, which could unfairly affect the outcome of the evaluation process. If kindness is difficult, neutrality should be the goal in scientific communication.
Online Training in Manuscript Peer Review: A Systematic Review
A systematic review by Willis et al. identifies 20 online peer review training materials, covering writing reviews and critical appraisal, noting access barriers like membership requirements and paywalls.
Link: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.09.02.22279345v3
Peer Review
A 2019 Peer Review Survey by Sense about Science and Elsevier found increased satisfaction with peer review but concerns about quality with growing outputs. It calls for better training, transparent communication, and balancing technology with human judgment in peer review.
Link: https://senseaboutscience.org/activities/?activityType=peer-review
Re-evaluation of solutions to the problem of unprofessionalism in peer review
The paper found that 43% of peer-review comments contained unprofessional or unsubstantiated critiques, sparking discussions on social media. While most online reactions were positive, some negative comments justified unprofessional behavior, citing concerns that 'forced niceness' would lead to poor-quality science. The authors argue that these rationales perpetuate a toxic peer-review culture and advocate for prioritizing professionalism.
Link: https://researchintegrityjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s41073-020-00107-x
Reducing the Peer-Reviewer's Burden
An editorial from Nature Chemical Biology emphasizes balancing peer review demand with quality. It suggests expanding the reviewer pool, formal peer review training for young scientists, and collaboration to improve efficiency and maintain scientific integrity.
So Does the Public Finally ‘Get’ Peer Review?
This article outlines a 10-year collaboration by Sense about Science to raise public awareness on the role of evidence in policy and society. It emphasizes the public's improved understanding of peer review despite initial challenges and skepticism from scientists.
Link: https://senseaboutscience.org/activities/so-does-the-public-finally-get-peer-review/
The Future of Scientific Publishing: 7 Trends to Watch in 2024
This article outlines key trends in scientific publishing for 2024, including the rise of open access, increased use of preprints, blockchain for securing intellectual property, and AI-powered peer review. It also highlights the push for open data to improve transparency and reproducibility, the emergence of decentralized publishing platforms, and efforts to combat predatory journals, ensuring ethical standards in research.
Link: https://publishingresearchconsortium.com/the-future-of-scientific-publishing/
The Golden Rule of Reviewing
This article discusses the importance of prompt peer review to expedite the publication process. Peer review operates as a system of reciprocal altruism, where scientists serve as authors, reviewers, and editors. Delays in submitting reviews are often the main bottleneck in publishing. To mitigate this, reviewers should follow the 'Golden Rule of Reviewing': provide timely, thorough, and constructive critiques as soon as possible.
A Focused Toolkit for Journal Editors and Publishers: Building Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in Editorial Roles and Peer Review
The C4DISC toolkit aims to build diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in peer review, offering recommendations for inclusive practices and fair scholarly communication.
Link: https://c4disc.pubpub.org/toolkit-editors-and-publishers
Checklist for Statistical Assessment of Medical Papers: The CHAMP Statement
The CHAMP (Checklist for Statistical Assessment of Medical Papers) statement addresses statistical errors in medical papers, helping reviewers without statistical expertise improve rigor in reviewing medical research design, analysis, and reporting.
Becoming a Reviewer
This course is designed to help participants become effective peer reviewers for scientific or scholarly journals. It covers essential aspects of peer review, highlights professional benefits, and teaches how to write useful reviews for both authors and editors.
Certified Peer Reviewer Course (Elsevier)
The Certified Peer Reviewer Course provides foundational training in peer review principles and practices, offering self-paced modules, webinars, and quizzes. It is aimed at individuals new to peer review or those seeking additional training, with certification available upon completion.
Link: https://researcheracademy.elsevier.com/navigating-peer-review/certified-peer-reviewer-course
Editors Resources & Tools
Springer Nature offers tools for editors, including diversity initiatives and a Reviewer Finder. Resources include case studies, guides for new editors, and strategies for promoting journals.
Link: https://www.springernature.com/gp/editors/resources-tools
Focus on Peer Review (Nature)
Focus on Peer Review is a free online course that teaches the fundamentals of effective peer review, covering responsibilities, report writing, and ethical considerations.
Link: https://masterclasses.nature.com/focus-on-peer-review-online-course/16605550
Equitable Peer Review (Indiana University Bloomington)
Indiana University Bloomington Libraries offer an equitable peer review toolkit, including rubrics for reviewing articles and free courses, supporting unbiased and effective reviews.
Link: https://guides.libraries.indiana.edu/peerreview/training
How to Review a Manuscript
The APA guide provides ten steps for peer reviewers, including constructive feedback and confidentiality, encouraging participation in peer review to enhance career development.
Free Journal Editor Training Course: Guide to Author Management (Scholastica)
Scholastica's Guide to Author Management trains journal editors on author management, focusing on submissions, ethics, communication, and supporting authors during production with submission checklists and templates.
Link: https://lp.scholasticahq.com/journal-editor-course-managing-authors/
Fundamentals of Peer Review (Elsevier)
Elsevier’s Navigating Peer Review series provides essential insights into peer review, explaining how participating sharpens writing skills, fosters networking, and enhances reputation. It covers how to volunteer as a reviewer, ethics, and trends in transparency.
Link: https://researcheracademy.elsevier.com/navigating-peer-review/fundamentals-peer-review
How to Survive Peer Review (The British Medical Journal)
BMJ's "How to Survive Peer Review" serves as a practical guide to navigating peer review, offering actionable advice to become a competent reviewer. It covers both formal and informal peer review settings, aimed at improving critical thinking without heavy academic theory.
Link: https://www.bmj.com/sites/default/files/attachments/resources/2011/07/wager.pdf
Introduction to the Certified Peer Reviewer Course
Elsevier's Certified Peer Reviewer Course offers a comprehensive introduction to peer review, covering skills needed to assess manuscripts. It aims to equip researchers with knowledge for effective manuscript review.
How-to Guides (Emerald Publishing)
Emerald Publishing provides resources for reviewers, covering constructive feedback, ethical considerations, and impactful reviews. The platform also offers tools for authors, editors, librarians, and researchers.
Master Peer Review (Peeref)
Peeref provides a reviewer certification process, helping reviewers advance their careers. Training courses and a forum for journal experiences support new and experienced reviewers.
Learn How to Review a Manuscript
The APA offers resources for reviewing manuscripts, with interactive tutorials and videos for quantitative and qualitative research, guiding reviewers in the peer review process.
Link: https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/resources/how-to-review-manuscripts
Online Free Courses and Guidelines to Learn the Art of Peer Review
A Neurology India letter discusses online peer review training options, highlighting courses for timely, constructive reviews, with resources like EQUATOR Network for training materials.
Lippincott Journals: Editor Resources
Wolters Kluwer offers resources for Lippincott Journal editors on maximizing journal impact and maintaining research quality, with training on ethics, workflows, and diversity initiatives.
Link: https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/lippincott-journals/lippincott-journals-editors-resources
Research Integrity
This course focuses on research integrity within academic publishing, covering ethical standards from study design to publication. It highlights avoiding plagiarism, data manipulation, and transparency in research, and covers the roles of authors, reviewers, and editors in maintaining research integrity.
Link: https://webofscienceacademy.clarivate.com/learn/catalog
Making Journals the Home of Research Excellence
Taylor & Francis resources guide journal editors in recruitment, responsibilities, and digital publishing developments, helping maintain published content quality.
WAME Manuscript submission checklist
The World Association of Medical Editors (WAME) offers a Manuscript Submission Checklist as a template for medical journal editors to utilize during the manuscript submission process for their respective publications. The checklist is a tool to guide medical journal editors in identifying potential issues like duplicate publications, conflicts of interest, authorship concerns, and the use of AI tools. Additionally, the checklist helps verify the ethical conduct of research, data access, and proper reporting standards.
Scholarly Peer Review
This course offers comprehensive training on peer reviewing for scholarly journals, covering best practices for writing effective peer review reports and ethical considerations in reviewing manuscripts.
Link: https://webofscienceacademy.clarivate.com/learn/catalog
Research Review Guide (University of Massachusetts Amherst)
The University of Massachusetts Amherst’s guide outlines peer review's importance, including best practices, resources, and tools for reviewer comments. It offers links to various resources for developing skills.
Translating Critical Appraisal of a Manuscript into Meaningful Peer Review (COCHRANE)
The online course Translating Critical Appraisal of a Manuscript into Meaningful Peer Review aims to enhance peer review skills for health professionals, particularly in ophthalmology and vision research. Funded by the National Eye Institute and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the course consists of two modules with 12 lectures focusing on the peer review process and the critical appraisal of clinical research.
Link: https://eyes.cochrane.org/free-online-course-journal-peer-review
Resources for Editors of Scholarly Journals: Editing 101
The University of Kansas Libraries provide journal editors resources for managing journals, open access, and peer review. External resources offer connections to the broader publishing community.
Reviewing Journal Manuscripts, by Charon Pierson
This complimentary booklet from Wiley-Blackwell, written by Charon A. Pierson, offers guidance for nurses and healthcare professionals on reviewing scholarly manuscripts. It provides practical advice applicable to nursing and healthcare journals, as well as other scholarly disciplines. The booklet aims to support reviewers by offering useful tips for the peer review process.
Asia-Pacific Association of Medical Journal Editors (APAME)
The Asia Pacific Association of Medical Journal Editors (APAME) is a nonprofit organization promoting medical journalism in the Asia Pacific Region. Through networking, education, and collaboration, it supports editors and ensures the dissemination of high-quality health information. APAME is affiliated with WHO offices and collaborates with global associations like WAME and EMAME. Its mission is to enhance public health by improving the quality of medical publications, fostering professionalism in medical editing, and providing training for editors and publishers.
Asian Council of Science Editors (ACSE)
The Asian Council of Science Editors (ACSE), founded in 2010, is a network of professionals dedicated to improving the Asian scholarly publishing sector. ACSE aims to raise regional publishing standards by promoting best practices and offering editorial tools and insights. Its mission is to foster cross-border community connections within the publishing industry, operating under a strong Code of Conduct that ensures ethical integrity and transparent governance. ACSE's vision is to advance scholarly publishing across Asia.
Link: https://theacse.com/
Sample Peer Review Report
The reviewer provides an extensive critique of the manuscript "Sensitivity of hyperspectral narrowband and multispectral broadband indices to crop evapotranspiration, transpiration, and soil evaporation" by Marshall, Thenkabail, Biggs, and Post. The critique emphasizes the need for clearer methodological explanations, theoretical justifications, and improvements in data handling.
Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016819231630106X
Supports for Editors
Queen's University Library's guide for journal editors includes editorial tasks, copyright management, and connections to support services like copyeditors and peer reviewers.
Link: https://guides.library.queensu.ca/journal-publishing-guide/editors
Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers (ALPSP)
ALPSP is the international trade association that supports and represents not-for-profit organizations that publish scholarly and professional content, as well as those that work with them.
Link: http://www.alpsp.org
Best Practice Guidelines on Research Integrity and Publishing Ethics
These guidelines provide an updated summary of best practices for research integrity and publishing ethics, supporting researchers, editors, peer reviewers, societies, funders, and others involved in scholarly publishing. Originally published in 2006 and revised in 2014, they have since been expanded with contributions from Wiley's research integrity team to reflect updates in various disciplines. Key updates include author name changes, diversity and inclusion, research on plants and geological samples, corrections, AI tool usage, and adoption of the NISO Peer Review Terminology Standard. The most recent update was made in April 2024.
Link: https://authorservices.wiley.com/ethics-guidelines/index.html
Tips from a Journal Editor: Being a Good Reviewer
R. Michael Alvarez provides valuable tips for being a good peer reviewer, emphasizing research quality, avoiding minor errors, disclosing conflicts of interest, and structuring reviews effectively to improve scientific research.
Link: https://blog.oup.com/2015/08/good-peer-reviewer-tips-journal-editor/
WAME Manuscript Submission Checklist
The World Association of Medical Editors (WAME) offers a Manuscript Submission Checklist as a template for medical journal editors to utilize during the manuscript submission process for their respective publications. The checklist is a tool to guide medical journal editors in identifying potential issues like duplicate publications, conflicts of interest, authorship concerns, and the use of AI tools. Additionally, the checklist helps verify ethical conduct of research, data access, and proper reporting standards.
Brief Instructions for Reviewers
The APA’s instructions for reviewers emphasize confidentiality, constructive feedback, and journal-specific guidelines to maintain high standards in academic publishing.
Link: https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/reviewer-instructions.pdf
Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)
COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) is committed to educating and supporting editors, publishers, universities, research institutes, and all those involved in publication ethics. COPE aims to move the culture of publishing towards one where ethical practices become a normal part of the culture itself. Their approach focuses on influencing through education, resources, and support of members, while fostering professional debate in the wider community.
Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT)
The Institute of Medicine defines healthcare quality as the extent to which services improve health outcomes, aligned with professional knowledge. Historically, few surgical decisions were based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs), but this is changing. To standardize the reporting of RCTs, the CONSORT Group introduced guidelines in 1996, updated in 2001 and 2010. These guidelines are now widely accepted in medical journals, helping improve RCT reporting and applicability in clinical practice.
COPE
The Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) is an international organization established to provide advice and guidance on best practices for dealing with ethical issues in journal publishing. Originally focused on editors and publishers of academic journals, COPE's membership has expanded to include universities, research institutions, and individuals involved in publication ethics. COPE offers various resources and guidance, including: (i) Policies and practices on good publication ethics; (ii) An eLearning course on topics such as plagiarism, falsification, authorship, conflicts of interest, and misconduct; and (iii) Participation in discussions on current ethical issues.
WAME Recommendations on Publication Ethics Policies for Medical Journals
This article summarizes a comprehensive publication ethics policy covering key areas for contemporary science journals. Editors can adapt these recommendations for their own journals and publish them publicly (print or web) while tailoring them to fit specific needs.
Link: https://wame.org/recommendations-on-publication-ethics-policies-for-medical-journals
COPE's Ethical Guidelines for Reviewers
The content outlines the ethical guidelines for peer reviewers provided by COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics). These guidelines establish principles and standards to ensure integrity and accountability in the peer review process across various disciplines. Peer reviewers play a crucial role in maintaining the scholarly record's integrity and are expected to conduct reviews ethically and responsibly. Journals must offer transparent peer review policies, while clear communication between reviewers and journals is essential. The guidelines apply to manuscript submissions, preprints, grants, and other scholarly materials, emphasizing the importance of ethical behavior in diverse review processes.
Link: https://publicationethics.org/resources/guidelines/cope-ethical-guidelines-peer-reviewers
Council of Asian Science Editors (CASE)
The Council of Asian Science Editors (CASE) is focused on improving the quality of scientific research journals in Asia. Their vision is to increase the visibility and international standing of these journals. The mission of CASE is to contribute to the development of science and human well-being, with a goal to enhance journal quality by consulting regulations on editing and sharing information about publishing processes. CASE supports the growth and professionalization of science editing across Asia.
Council of Science Editors (CSE)
The Council of Science Editors (CSE) is an international membership organization for editorial professionals publishing in the sciences. CSE serves its members in the scientific, scientific publishing, and information science communities by fostering networking, education, discussion, and exchange. Its aim is to be an authoritative resource on current and emerging issues in the communication of scientific information.
DOI
A DOI, or Digital Object Identifier, is a unique and persistent code assigned to scholarly works, like articles, papers, and some books, to permanently identify them. DOIs persist even if the location of the content changes, ensuring reliable access to the publication.
Link: https://doi.org
EQUATOR
Established in 2008, the EQUATOR Network (Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research) serves as a valuable resource for editors seeking specific reporting guidelines for various research types. Equator offers a comprehensive suite of tools, including an online library, educational programs, and established reporting guidelines, to assist editors in ensuring the quality and reliability of health research publications.
EQUATOR (Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research) Network
The EQUATOR Network is an international initiative that seeks to improve the reliability and value of published health research literature by promoting transparent and accurate reporting and the wider use of robust reporting guidelines.
Link: https://www.equator-network.org/toolkits/peer-reviewing-research/
European Association of Science Editors (EASE)
The European Association of Science Editors (EASE) is an international community of editors focused on improving the global standard of science editing. EASE promotes the value of science editors by supporting professional development, research, and collaboration. It offers various resources, including training events, conferences, and a resource library. EASE encourages members worldwide to connect, learn, and promote their editorial services through member registers, discussion forums, and social media.
Link: http://www.ease.org.uk
How to Conduct a Review
Elsevier provides a comprehensive guide on conducting peer reviews, covering topics such as evaluating a manuscript's relevance, maintaining confidentiality, and structuring feedback. Reviewers are encouraged to provide constructive and detailed critiques, avoid using generative AI, and follow journal-specific guidelines. Ethical considerations, including sex and gender reporting, are emphasized, along with tools to aid reviewers.
Link: https://www.elsevier.com/reviewer/how-to-review#1-managing-your-review
ICMJE Recommendations
The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) developed the "Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals" (ICMJE Recommendations). These recommendations include a range of topics, including ethical guidelines for authorship, conflicts of interest, and patient protection. They also provide instructions for authors on manuscript preparation and submission. For editors, the ICMJE Recommendations outline established best practices for conducting peer review and handling submissions with confidentiality, timeliness, and sound editorial decision-making.
International Association of Scientific, Technical and Medical Publishers (STM)
STM is a global organization representing academic publishers, promoting high standards in research communication. Its members publish over 66% of all journal articles across science, technology, medicine, and humanities. STM advocates for innovation in publishing, supports new technologies and universal standards, and contributes to international consultations on research policies. The organization aims to ensure that published research is trustworthy, high-quality, and accessible, working with over 140 members, including major commercial publishers, learned societies, and university presses.
Link: http://www.stm-assoc.org
WAME Syllabus for Prospective and Newly Appointed Editors
This syllabus guides potential and newly appointed editors of peer-reviewed research journals. It outlines the editor’s key responsibilities, along with an editorial process overview. The syllabus includes (i) Editor Roles and Responsibilities, (ii) Questions and insights to help individuals assess their suitability for an editor position, and (iii) an Explanation of the steps involved in editing a journal, including potential challenges and solutions.
Link: https://wame.org/syllabus-for-prospective-and-newly-appointed-editors
International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE)
ICMJE developed these recommendations to review best practices and ethical standards in the conduct and reporting of research and other material published in medical journals. They aim to help authors, editors, and others involved in peer review and biomedical publishing create and distribute accurate, clear, reproducible, and unbiased medical journal articles. These recommendations also provide useful insights into the medical editing and publishing process for the media, patients, families, and general readers.
Link: http://www.icmje.org
International Publishers' Association (IPA)
The International Publishers Association (IPA), based in Geneva, Switzerland, is the world's largest federation of national, regional, and specialist publishers' associations. With 101 member associations across 81 countries, IPA represents thousands of individual publishers serving over 5.6 billion people globally. Founded in 1896 in Paris, IPA continues to promote and defend copyright and the freedom to publish as its core principles.
International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number Register (ISRCTN)
The ISRCTN registry is an internationally recognized clinical trial registry that accepts all clinical research studies, providing unique identification numbers for publication and ensuring transparency in research. It helps reduce selective reporting by making all study records freely accessible and searchable. ISRCTN welcomes submissions from any location and accepts studies prospectively or retrospectively, covering a wide range of topics including healthcare, education, and workplace safety, with an emphasis on human health and well-being outcomes.
Link: http://isrctn.org
Office of Research Integrity (ORI)
The Office of Research Integrity (ORI) oversees Public Health Service (PHS) research integrity activities, excluding FDA-related tasks. As part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), ORI focuses on detecting, investigating, and preventing research misconduct. It monitors investigations, recommends actions, assists with appeals, and provides technical support to institutions. ORI also promotes responsible conduct of research through policies, education, and evaluations, while managing whistleblower protections and responding to Freedom of Information Act requests.
Link: https://ori.hhs.gov
Recommendation 4: Train and Mentor Reviewers
C4DISC's recommendation encourages reviewer training and mentoring, including co-reviewing and accessibility for marginalized researchers, aiming to foster inclusive peer review.
Link: https://c4disc.pubpub.org/pub/deia-recommendation4/release/1?readingCollection=91056a07
Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing, and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals
ICMJE developed these recommendations to review best practices and ethical standards in the conduct and reporting of research and other material published in medical journals. The goal is to help authors, editors, and others involved in peer review and biomedical publishing create and distribute accurate, clear, reproducible, and unbiased medical journal articles. These recommendations may also provide useful insights into the medical editing and publishing process for the media, patients, families, and general readers.
Resources for Journal Authors, Editors, and Reviewers
SAGE Publications offers resources for authors, editors, and reviewers, with guidance on publishing, ethics, and promoting articles. Reviewer Gateway covers peer review processes, ethical responsibilities, and reviewer benefits.
Link: https://au.sagepub.com/en-gb/oce/resources-journal-authors-and-editors
Sense about Science (SAS)
Sense about Science is an independent charity that promotes the public interest in sound science and evidence.
Society for Scholarly Publishing (SSP)
The Society for Scholarly Publishing (SSP) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1978, focused on enhancing communication within the scholarly publication community. SSP fosters professional development, networking, and knowledge sharing among publishers, librarians, editors, and service providers. Its mission is to advance scholarly publishing through education and collaboration. SSP emphasizes diversity, inclusivity, adaptability, and integrity, with strategic goals including embedding DEIA, supporting professionals at all career stages, engaging globally, and ensuring financial sustainability.
Link: http://www.sspnet.org
Syllabus for Prospective and Newly Appointed Editors
This syllabus guides potential and newly appointed editors of peer-reviewed research journals. It outlines the editor’s key responsibilities, along with an editorial process overview. The syllabus includes: (i) Editor Roles and Responsibilities; (ii) Questions and insights to help individuals assess their suitability for an editor position; and (iii) Explanation of the steps involved in editing a journal, including potential challenges and solutions.
Link: https://wame.org/syllabus-for-prospective-and-newly-appointed-editors
The Journal of Scholarly Publishing (JSP)
The Journal of Scholarly Publishing offers insights into scholarly publishing challenges, covering technology, funding, and innovations, available in print and online.
WAME
The World Association of Medical Editors (WAME), established in 1995, is a resource of peer-reviewed medical journals from its membership of over 1,000 journals across 92 countries. This international, non-profit organization fosters collaboration and communication among editors through various initiatives. WAME's core mission is to elevate editorial standards and promote professionalism within medical editing. WAME recently launched its eLearning Program (eLP), a free online program designed for medical journal editors and available to anyone involved in scholarly publishing.
Link: https://www.wame.org
WAME Recommendations on Chatbots and Generative Artificial Intelligence in Relation to Scholarly Publications, Revised May 31, 2023
This revised statement updates the January 2023 recommendations on chatbots in scholarly publishing. These Recommendations are intended to inform editors and help them develop policies for the use of chatbots in papers published in their journals. The goal is to inform editors, authors, and reviewers on best practices and the need for manuscript screening tools to ensure content authenticity.
WAME Recommendations on Publication Ethics Policies for Medical Journals
This article summarizes a comprehensive publication ethics policy, covering key areas for contemporary science journals. Editors can adapt these recommendations for their own journals and publish them publicly (print or web) while tailoring them to fit specific needs.
ICJME: Defining the Role of Authors and Contributors
The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) developed these recommendations to define the author’s role and accountability for what is published, the criteria for authorship, and the policies for non-author contributors and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Assisted Technology in the production of submitted works.
Link: https://www.icmje.org/recommendations/browse/roles-and-responsibilities/
ICMJE Guidelines
The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) offers these recommendations to examine best practices and ethical considerations for conducting, reporting, and publishing research and other content within medical journals. These guidelines aim to assist authors, editors, and those involved in peer review and biomedical publishing in creating and disseminating accurate, clear, reproducible, and unbiased medical journal articles.