Factors impacting time to acceptance and publication for peer-reviewed publications

Abstract

Analysis of a single-company publication database showed that the median time for manuscripts to be fully published after initial submission was 36.2 weeks, and time to publication increased accordingly with the number of submissions. Causes for multiple submissions and time from clinical trial completion to first submission were not assessed; these were limitations of the study. Nonetheless, publication planners should consider these results when evaluating timelines and identifying potential journals early in the publication planning process.

Researchers’ time should be protected as much as possible – commentary on: Toroser D, Carlson J, Robinson M, et al. Factors impacting time to acceptance and publication for peer-reviewed publications. Curr Med Res Opinion 2016: published online 31 December 2016, doi: 10.1080/03007995.2016.1271778

“…2. As submissions to journals increase, the time to acceptance increases at a similar rate 1 . Interestingly, the American Journal of Roentgenology investigated in 1986 the destiny of 254 rejected manuscripts which had been published successively in different radiology and nonradiology journals 12 one of the first strategies that younger colleagues should learn to avoid in favor of an increased capability of selecting the appropriate target for manuscripts on the basis of their real value.…”

“…With their article aimed at describing the passage of time from submission to acceptance for peer-reviewed manuscripts, reviews and letters to the editor, Toroser and colleagues 1 have highlighted an issue which has received modest attention to date. Although the authors have acknowledged the limitations affecting their study 1 , their contribution is valuable for a series of reasons: a.…”

“…Although the authors have acknowledged the limitations affecting their study 1 , their contribution is valuable for a series of reasons: a. They have acquired up-to-date evidence available in the field by analyzing the publications of recent years: the number of articles published has increased constantly by around 3-3.5% each year 2 and this may have affected publication efficiency in those journals where resources have not had similar increases.…”

“…The contribution of Toroser et al 1 increases the understanding of factors affecting the transfer of knowledge 7 , the process aimed at reaching practitioners who may apply the evidence produced with research. The transfer of knowledge process is also capable of affecting the research itself, given that it allows for movement along the research chain, from the first step to the following on the basis of findings.…”

“…3. The time lag from submission to acceptance is around 23 weeks, less than 6 months; specifically, clinical trials have required lesser time 1 . Ensuring high quality in the review process requires time for: allocating the manuscripts to the right reviewers; avoiding conflict of interest; giving the appropriate amount of time to reviewers; deciding the degree of revision required (or rejection) on the basis of their feedback; then awaiting the revisions from the authors and, if the case, starting a second round 16 .…”