Editorial priorities and timeliness of editorial assessment and peer review during the COVID-19 pandemic

• Authors: Patrick Sullivan, Emory University; Ed Trapido, Emory University; John Acquavella, Emory University; Richard F Gillum, Emory University; Russell S Kirby, Emory University; Michael Kramer, Emory University; Suzan L Carmichael, Emory University; Cara L Frankenfeld, Emory University; Edwina Yeung, Emory University; Cory Woodyatt, Emory University; Stefan Baral, Emory University
• Journal Title: ANNALS OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
• Volume: Volume 69
• Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC | 2022-05-01, Pages 24-26
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.annepidem.2022.01.003
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Public Health
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; COVID-19; peer review; editorial processes

Abstract

Academic journals have played a key role in the response to the global COVID-19 pandemic by quickly disseminating new knowledge about the virus, the epidemic and clinical care. However, many of the same people responsible for providing clinical care, leading public health responses and conducting research are also responsible for the operations and management of scientific journals. Given our dual or triple roles in clinical care, research and dissemination, at the outset of the pandemic, we were immediately concerned about how the timely operations of Annals of Epidemiology would be impacted, because our journal relies on volunteer service of peer reviewers and editors. In this editorial, we summarize the changes we made in operations to prioritize COVID-19 publications and the impacts of the pandemic on our editorial processes, submission volume, and journal operations during 2020.