Guidance for Fair and Fast Desk Assessment of Submitted Manuscripts During Times of Crisis

What is this about?

This guidance is a practical document developed by the PREPARED project to help ethics committees and journal editors evaluate research rapidly and ethically during public health emergencies. It provides clear recommendations to ensure that assessments remain fair, transparent, and scientifically rigorous, even under time constraints and resource limitations.

The guidance emphasizes the importance of involving assessors with relevant expertise, using standardized checklists and decision-making tools, and focusing on essential ethical, methodological, and safety considerations. It also highlights the need to minimize bias, promote consistency, and enhance coordination between journals, ethics boards, and funders. By streamlining the review process without compromising ethical standards, this document supports the rapid dissemination of vital research findings while safeguarding the rights and well-being of research participants. Ultimately, it aims to maintain public trust and integrity in research during times of crisis.

Why is this important?

This guidance is important because it ensures that urgent research during crises, such as pandemics, is reviewed both quickly and ethically. In emergencies, time-sensitive studies must be assessed and published fast—but without compromising scientific integrity or participant protection. The document helps ethics committees and editors make fair, transparent decisions under pressure by offering clear procedures and tools. It reduces the risk of rushed or biased judgments, supports collaboration among institutions, and promotes public trust in crisis-related research. Ultimately, it balances speed with ethical rigor, ensuring that life-saving knowledge can be shared responsibly when it's needed most.

For whom is this important?

Research Ethics CommitteesJournal editors

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