The Peer Review System: A Journal Editor's 30-Year Perspective.

The peer review system has become the standard by which scientific articles are refereed. Unfortunately, even from its beginnings in the mid-1800s it has been fraught with difficulties. Potential reviewers are volunteers who may be inundated with requests to review yet these reviews take considerable time and effort. There is little motivation to complete a review causing significant delays in the publication process. There may be biases unintentionally built into the system between reviewers, authors, editors, and journals. Attempts to overcome these biases by various blinding schemes have been met with limited success. Finally, the recent advent of Artificial Intelligence has the potential to completely upend the system, for good or bad.

Can ChatGPT identify predatory biomedical and dental journals? A cross-sectional content analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether ChatGPT can help to identify predatory biomedical and dental journals, analyze the content of its responses and compare the frequency of positive and negative indicators provided by ChatGPT concerning predatory and legitimate journals. METHODS: Four-hundred predatory and legitimate biomedical and dental journals were selected from four sources: Beall's list, unsolicited emails, the Web of Science (WOS) journal list and the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). ChatGPT was asked to determine journal legitimacy. Journals were classified into legitimate or predatory. Pearson's Chi-squared test and logistic regression were conducted. Two machine learning algorithms determined the most influential criteria on the correct classification of journals. RESULTS: The data were categorized under 10 criteria with the most frequently coded criteria being the transparency of processes and policies. ChatGPT correctly classified predatory and legitimate journals in 92.5 % and 71 % of the sample, respectively. The accuracy of ChatGPT responses was 0.82. ChatGPT also demonstrated a high level of sensitivity (0.93). Additionally, the model exhibited a specificity of 0.71, accurately identifying true negatives. A highly significant association between ChatGPT verdicts and the classification based on known sources was observed (P <0.001). ChatGPT was 30.2 times more likely to correctly classify a predatory journal (95 % confidence interval: 16.9-57.43, p-value: <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: ChatGPT can accurately distinguish predatory and legitimate journals with a high level of accuracy. While some false positive (29 %) and false negative (7.5 %) results were observed, it may be reasonable to harness ChatGPT to assist with the identification of predatory journals. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: ChatGPT may effectively distinguish between predatory and legitimate journals, with accuracy rates of 92.5 % and 71 %, respectively. The potential utility of large-scale language models in exposing predatory publications is worthy of further consideration.

A review of top cardiology and cardiovascular medicine journal guidelines regarding the use of generative artificial intelligence tools in scientific writing.

BACKGROUND: Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools have experienced rapid development over the last decade and are gaining increasing popularity as assistive models in academic writing. However, the ability of AI to generate reliable and accurate research articles is a topic of debate. Major scientific journals have issued policies regarding the contribution of AI tools in scientific writing. METHODS: We conducted a review of the author and peer reviewer guidelines of the top 25 Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine journals as per the 2023 SCImago rankings. Data were obtained though reviewing journal websites and directly emailing the editorial office. Descriptive data regarding journal characteristics were coded on SPSS. Subgroup analyses of the journal guidelines were conducted based on the publishing company policies. RESULTS: Our analysis revealed that all scientific journals in our study permitted the documented use of AI in scientific writing with certain limitations as per ICMJE recommendations. We found that AI tools cannot be included in the authorship or be used for image generation, and that all authors are required to assume full responsibility of their submitted and published work. The use of generative AI tools in the peer review process is strictly prohibited. CONCLUSION: Guidelines regarding the use of generative AI in scientific writing are standardized, detailed, and unanimously followed by all journals in our study according to the recommendations set forth by international forums. It is imperative to ensure that these policies are carefully followed and updated to maintain scientific integrity.

Using AI Tools in Writing Peer Review Reports: Should Academic Journals Embrace the Use of ChatGPT?

This letter highlights a pressing issue regarding the absence of established editorial policies for the utilization of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) in the peer review process. The increasing adoption of AI tools in academic publishing necessitates the formulation of standardized guidelines to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability. Without clear editorial policies, there is a threat of compromising the integrity of the peer review process and undermining the credibility of academic publications. Urgent attention is needed to address this gap and establish robust protocols that govern the use of AI tools in peer review.

[The track of the clinical researcher]. / El camino del investigador clínico.

In this issue, the students of the Maestría en Ciencias de la Salud Program, who are generally doctors, publish their work in the format of architectural design. The architectural design, allows to demonstrate in a schematic way, the objective, basal state, maneuver and outcome of their investigations. In this issue of the Revista Médica del IMSS, architectural design is used explicitly for the first time in a scientific publication. This innovation was achieved thanks to the collaboration of the editors and students of the Maestría en Ciencias de la Salud Program.

En este número los estudiantes de la Maestría en Ciencias de la Salud, los cuales, en general, son médicos y publican sus trabajos con el formato del diseño arquitectónico. El diseño arquitectónico permite mostrar de forma esquemática, el objetivo, estado basal, maniobra y desenlace de sus investigaciones. En este número de la Revista Médica del IMSS se usa por primera vez de forma explícita el diseño arquitectónico en una publicación científica. Esta innovación se logró gracias a la colaboración de los editores y estudiantes de la Maestría de Ciencias de la Salud.

Mapping gender and geographic diversity in artificial intelligence research: Editor representation in leading computer science journals.

Background: The growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, particularly radiology, requires its unbiased and fair development and implementation, starting with the constitution of the scientific community. Purpose: To examine the gender and country distribution among academic editors in leading computer science and AI journals. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed the gender and country distribution among editors-in-chief, senior, and associate editors in all 75 Q1 computer science and AI journals in the Clarivate Journal Citations Report and SCImago Journal Ranking 2022. Gender was determined using an open-source algorithm (Gender Guesser™), selecting the gender with the highest calibrated probability. Result: Among 4,948 editorial board members, women were underrepresented in all positions (editors-in-chief/senior editors/associate editors: 14%/18%/17%). The proportion of women correlated positively with the SCImago Journal Rank indicator (ρ = 0.329; p = .004). The U.S., the U.K., and China comprised 50% of editors, while Australia, Finland, Estonia, Denmark, the Netherlands, the U.K., Switzerland, and Slovenia had the highest women editor representation per million women population. Conclusion: Our results highlight gender and geographic disparities on leading computer science and AI journal editorial boards, with women being underrepresented in all positions and a disproportional relationship between the Global North and South.

Being Part of an Editorial Board: Implications and Scope for Scientific Communication and Personal Academic Development / Ser parte de un comité editorial: implicancias y alcances para la comunicación científica y el desarrollo académico personal / Fazer parte de um comitê editorial: implicações e escopos para a comunicação científica e o desenvolvimento acadêmico pessoal

Objective. From my experience as a member of the editorial board of the journal Investigación y Educación en Enfermería, the implications and scope of participating in this entity and the mutual and reciprocal benefits of this academic interaction between members of the editorial board and the journal are explained. Content synthesis.The key elements on operation, integration, tasks, and responsibilities of editorial boards to disseminate scientific research in different disciplines are analyzed and described, highlighting the rigor and commitment to academic ethics that allows guaranteeing the credibility of the contents published and topics addressed by a journal within a context of high competitiveness and risk of breaches of academic and scientific probity and ethics. Conclusion. Integrating an editorial board requires developing a fundamental role that implies a series of commitments and challenges that must be addressed with professionalism and ethics to guarantee the quality and prestige of the academic publication. In this task, achievements and goals are reached for the journal, as well as academic benefits for the editorial board members.

Objetivo. A partir de mi experiencia como integrante del comité editorial de la revista Investigación y Educación en Enfermería, se exponen las implicancias y el alcance de participar en esta entidad y los beneficios mutuos y recíprocos de esta interacción académica entre los miembros del comité editorial y la revista. Síntesis del contenido. Se analizan y describen los elementos claves sobre funcionamiento, integración, tareas y responsabilidades de los comités editoriales para la difusión de investigaciones científicas en las distintas disciplinas, resaltando el rigor y compromiso con la ética académica que permite garantizar la credibilidad de los contenidos publicados y las temáticas abordadas por una revista en un contexto de alta competitividad y de riesgo de faltas a la probidad y ética académica y científica. Conclusión. Integrar un comité editorial exige desarrollar un papel fundamental que implica una serie de compromisos y desafíos que deben abordarse con profesionalismo y ética para garantizar la calidad y el prestigio de la publicación académica. En esta tarea se alcanzan logros y metas tanto para la revista, así como se obtienen beneficios académicos para los integrantes del comité editorial.

Objetivo. Com base na minha experiência como membro do conselho editorial da RevistaInvestigación y Educación en Enfermería, são apresentados as implicações e o alcance da participação nesta entidade e os benefícios mútuos e recíprocos desta interação acadêmica entre os membros do conselho editorial e a revista. Síntese de conteúdo. São analisados e descritos os elementos-chave sobre o funcionamento, integração, tarefas e responsabilidades dos comités editoriais para a divulgação da investigação científica nas diferentes disciplinas, destacando o rigor e o compromisso com a ética académica que permite garantir a credibilidade dos conteúdos publicados e os temas abordados por uma revista em um contexto de alta competitividade e de risco de violação da probidade e da ética acadêmica e científica. Conclusão. Integrar um comitê editorial exige desenvolver um papel fundamental que envolve uma série de compromissos e desafios que devem ser enfrentados com profissionalismo e ética para garantir a qualidade e o prestígio da publicação acadêmica. Nessa tarefa são alcançadas conquistas e metas para a revista, bem como benefícios acadêmicos para os membros do comitê editorial.

Evaluación de la gestión editorial de las revistas médicas de Villa Clara / Evaluation of the editorial management in Villa Clara medical journals

Ante el gran número de publicaciones científicas digitales existentes, la evaluación se hace ineludible, porque es la que garantiza que dichos productos alcancen niveles cada vez mayores de calidad, por lo original de las investigaciones que publican, y que han pasado previamente por un riguroso arbitraje. Se realizó una investigación de desarrollo con enfoque cualitativo de las cuatro revistas médicas de Villa Clara, para evaluar la gestión editorial en el período comprendido de enero 2019 a diciembre 2021, según los estándares establecidos por el Centro Nacional de Información.

Evaluation has become unavoidable given the large number of existing digital scientific publications; it guarantees that these products reach increasingly higher levels of quality due to the originality of the published research and the rigorous review process. A developmental research with a qualitative approach was carried out on four of the journals from Villa Clara province in order to evaluate their editorial management from January 2019 to December 2021 according to the standards established by the National Information Center.

Significado de la indexación de la Revista Peruana de Ginecología y Obstetricia a Scopus

La Revista Peruana de Ginecología y Obstetricia (RPGO) ha obtenido su inclusión en la importante base de datos Scopus. En una rápida recopilación de la publicación de la revista, se recuerda la dedicación editorial de sus seis editores, cuatro de los cuales acababan de presidir la Sociedad Peruana de Obstetricia y Ginecología (SPOG). Los momentos iniciales de trabajo editorial fueron realizados manualmente, en máquinas de escribir y visitando la imprenta continuamente, así como a los patrocinadores. El compromiso de los Comités Directivos de SPOG para financiar la publicación y distribución de los ejemplares permitió la gradual indexación a bases de datos locales, regionales e internacionales. Su internalización se amplió desde la publicación de la RPGO en el Open Journal Systems (OJS), sistema informático donde se publica los artículos con puntualidad, calidad, incluyendo sus características editoriales y la Información para los Autores. Ahora la publicación es solo virtual, en español e inglés, con visibilidad e impacto de los artículos desde el inicio de la RPGO en 1955. Con datos actualizados del OJS sobre la RPGO, el número de visitas mensuales a los resúmenes llegan hasta 10 mil y las descargas mensuales de artículos en formato PDF hasta más de 9 mil. Y, en el ámbito de revistas científicas de ginecoobstetricia de América Latina y España en Scopus, destaca el índice h de la RPGO por Google Scholar Metrics, como una de las mejores. Al presente, y frente a los desafíos futuros, la actividad de la RPGO ha sido fortalecida, estableciendo un equipo editorial y herramientas que permiten la ya iniciada profesionalización de los procesos de la actividad editorial.

The Peruvian Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics (RPGO, for its acronym in Spanish) has obtained its inclusion in the important Scopus database. A quick review of the journal's publication recalls the editorial dedication of its six editors, four of whom had just recently chaired the Peruvian Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (SPOG, for its acronym in Spanish). The initial editorial work was carried out manually, on typewriters and continuously visiting the printing press, as well as the sponsors. The commitment of the SPOG Steering Committees to finance the publication and distribution of the issues allowed the gradual indexing to local, regional and international databases. Its internalization was expanded since the publication of the RPGO in the Open Journal Systems (OJS), a computer system where articles are published with punctuality, quality, including their editorial characteristics and the Information for Authors. Now the publication is only virtual, in English and Spanish, with visibility and impact of the articles since the beginning of the RPGO in 1955. With updated OJS data on the RPGO, the number of monthly visits to the abstracts reaches up to 10 thousand and monthly downloads of articles in PDF format reach more than 9 thousand. And, in the field of obstetrics and gynecology scientific journals in Latin America and Spain in Scopus, the h index of the RPGO by Google Scholar Metrics stands out as one of the best. At present, and facing future challenges, the activity of the RPGO has been strengthened, establishing an editorial team and tools that allow the already initiated professionalization of the processes of the editorial activity.

Completeness of reporting in abstracts of randomized controlled trials assessing interventional radiology for liver disease.

PURPOSE: To assess the completeness of reporting in abstracts of published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing interventional radiology (IR) for liver disease; to assess whether publication of the 2017 CONSORT update for nonpharmacological treatments (NPT) resulted in changes in abstract reporting; and to identify factors associated with better reporting. MATERIAL AND METHODS: MEDLINE and Embase were searched to identify RCTs of IR for liver disease (January 2015-September 2020). Two reviewers assessed the completeness of abstract reporting according to the CONSORT-NPT-2017-update. The primary outcome was the mean number of CONSORT items completely reported among 10 items reported in <50% of the abstracts published in 2015. A time series analysis assessed the evolution trend over time. A multivariate regression model was used to identify factors associated with better reporting. RESULTS: A total of 107 abstracts of RCTs published in 61 journals were included. Overall, 74% (45/61) of journals endorsed the main CONSORT guidelines, of which 60% (27/45) had a policy to implement them. The mean number of primary outcome items completely reported increased by 0.19 over the study period. The publication of the CONSORT-NPT update did not lead to an increase in the trend of items reported (increase of 0.04 items/month before vs. 0.02 after, P=0.41). Factors associated with more complete reporting were impact factor (OR=1.13; 95%CI:1.07-1.18) and endorsement of CONSORT with an implementation policy (OR=8.29; 95%CI:2.04-33.65). CONCLUSION: Completeness of reporting is incomplete in abstracts of trials of IR liver disease and did not improve after publication of the CONSORT-NPT-2017 update with abstract guidance.

Challenges for enforcing editorial policies on AI-generated papers.

ChatGPT, a chatbot released by OpenAI in November 2022, has rocked academia with its capacity to generate papers "good enough" for academic journals. Major journals such as Nature and professional societies such as the World Association of Medical Editors have moved fast to issue policies to ban or curb AI-written papers. Amid the flurry of policy initiatives, one important challenge seems to be overlooked: AI-generated papers are not easily discernible to the human eye, and we lack the right tools to implement the policies. Without such tools, the well-intentioned policies are likely to remain on paper.

An analysis of dental articles in predatory journals and associated online engagement.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the extent of social media sharing of presumed predatory (PP) dental journals and to compare level of engagement, type of accounts and characteristics of the articles published in presumed legitimate (PL) and PP journals. METHODS: Six hashtags were searched across three social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook and Twitter). Data extraction was performed and journals were classified into PP or PL in a multistep approach using MEDLINE, Beall's list and Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). A checklist was created and used for studies not found in the aforementioned recognized databases. RESULTS: A total of 1742 posts were identified, with the majority (94%) found on Instagram. Of the identified journals, 15.6% were PP. Over one-third of articles from PP journals (35.42%) were indexed on PubMed. The majority of presumed legitimate publications were published in dental specialty only journals (56.44%), compared to 24% in the PP group. The majority of accounts were those of healthcare professionals with most publications related to prosthodontics and implantology (26.3%) and restorative and esthetic dentistry (14.4%), in PL and PP groups, respectively. Similar median number of followers/friends and comments were found among the PL and PP groups. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight that presumed predatory publications have comparable reach to PL journals on social media risking the sharing of unreliable and misleading information. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Researchers, students and social media users should be capable of identifying presumed predatory dental publications. Means of moderating the influence of these publications should be explored.