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Guidelines

PREPARED Guidance for fair and fast desk assessment of submitted manuscripts during times of crisis

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PREPARED

What is this about?

The PREPARED "Guidance for fair and fast desk assessment of submitted manuscripts during times of crisis” is addressed to editors and publishers. It covers the process for identification of manuscripts that meet the threshold criteria for peer review and the criteria against which the submission can be assessed.

Whilst the guidance was developed for crisis situations, it is also likely to be helpful during routine work of editors, publishers and research ethics committees.   

Why is this important?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, most research focused on the virus was fast-tracked but often in a fragmented manner. In particular, research ethics committees struggled with requests to fast-track pandemic research because of increased workloads, new remote workflows, uncertainty regarding the risks and benefits of COVID-19 research, a lack of resources and training, and study and review duplication. At the same time, editors and publishers were inundated with research paper submissions, which tripled for some journals. Again, fast-tracking measures were attempted in the face of major difficulties, e.g. a lack of reviewers, especially for medical journals, and publishing staff who were themselves affected by the pandemic.

Click here to open the guideline.

 

For whom is this important?

EditorsJournal editorsPeer reviewersJournals

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• PREPARED