Estimating the productivity cost of administrative duties and work-related engagements from submission trends during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

During the initial months of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, mBio experienced a large increase in the number of submissions, a phenomenon that was also observed for journals of different fields. Since most research laboratories were closed, this increase cannot reflect increased research activity. In this editorial, we propose that the increase in submissions reflected the release of a backlog of unpublished work following a reduction in work-related engagements including scientific travel, which in turn provides an estimate of the productivity costs of such activities on research output.

NIH funding and journal selection: trends in dermatology publication models across tiers from 2021 to 2023.

This study examines the influence of National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding on the publication choices of dermatologists, particularly in terms of journal tiers and pay-to-publish (P2P) versus free-to-publish (F2P) models. Utilizing k-means clustering for journal ranking based on SCImago Journal Rank, h-index, and Impact Factor, journals were categorized into three tiers and 54,530 dermatology publications from 2021 to 2023 were analyzed. Authors were classified as Top NIH Funded or Non-Top NIH Funded according to Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research rankings. The study finds significant differences in publication patterns, with Top NIH Funded researchers in Tier I journals demonstrating a balanced use of P2P and F2P models, while they preferred F2P models in Tier II and III journals. Non-Top NIH Funded authors, however, opted for P2P models more frequently across all tiers. These data suggest NIH funding allows researchers greater flexibility to publish in higher-tier journals despite publication fees, while prioritizing F2P models in lower-tier journals. Such a pattern indicates that funding status plays a critical role in strategic publication decisions, potentially impacting research visibility and subsequent funding. The study's dermatology focus limits broader applicability, warranting further research to explore additional factors like geographic location, author gender, and research design.

Una propuesta para reorganizar el mundo de las publicaciones científicas que permitiría ahorrar millones de euros a nuestro país / No disponible

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Desafios editoriais da Revista de Saúde Pública / Editorial challenges of the Revista de Saúde Pública

Resumo Os editores da Revista de Saúde Pública descrevem o perfil editorial da revista e discutem os desafios da publicação científica na área. É apresentada uma síntese histórica dos quase 50 anos da revista, com a projeção temporal de seus indicadores bibliométricos. São relacionados parâmetros qualitativos e quantitativos de seu perfil editorial e indexações. São discutidas as restrições orçamentárias e as ações que vêm sendo tomadas para enfrentá-las. Também se discute a dificuldade na alocação de revisores para os manuscritos submetidos ao processo de avaliação editorial; uma questão que afeta a publicação científica em muitas áreas de conhecimento. Em especial, buscou-se refletir sobre a proposição de medidas que visem dinamizar o processo editorial, atenuando a escassez de revisores e suas possíveis consequências prejudiciais para o processo editorial.

Abstract The editors of the Revista de Saúde Pública describe the journal's editorial profile and discuss the challenges of scientific publication in the area. A historical overview of almost 50 years of the journal is reported, with the temporal projection of their bibliometric indicators. Qualitative and quantitative parameters of its editorial profile and indexes are also reported. Budget constraints and the actions being taken to address them are discussed. The difficulty in allocating reviewers for manuscripts submitted to the editorial process is also discussed; an issue that affects scientific publication in many areas of knowledge. In particular, we sought to reflect on the proposal of measures to boost the editorial process by alleviating the shortage of reviewers and their possible harmful consequences for the editorial process.

Declaraciones de financiación en las revistas biomédicas. Estudio descriptivo de cuatro publicaciones españolas / Disclosure of sources of funding in biomedical journals. Descriptive study of four Spanish publications

Fundamento: El origen de la financiación de la investigación puede ser una fuente de sesgo, por lo que resulta fundamental su declaración en la publicación de los resultados. El objetivo del estudio es identificar la frecuencia y tipología de las declaraciones de financiación en los artículos de cuatro revistas biomédicas españolas publicadas en castellano. Material y métodos: Se analizó la frecuencia y tipología de la declaración de financiación en los artículos publicados durante el año 2012 en los números ordinarios de Atención Primaria, Medicina Clínica, Revista Clínica Española y Revista Española de Cardiología. Se incluyeron las publicaciones calificadas como 'Editorial', 'Artículo original', 'Documento de Consenso', 'Revisión' y 'Artículo Especial'. Para cada artículo se determinó si declaraba o no algún tipo de financiación y la tipología de la financiación declarada (pública o privada). Resultados: Se analizaron 412 publicaciones. El 32,5% presentaban declaración de financiación: 38% en Atención Primaria, 27% en Medicina Clínica, 15% en Revista Clínica Española y 45% en Revista Española de Cardiología. Por tipología de artículos, el 47% de los artículos originales, el 44% de los documentos de consenso, el 21% de las revisiones, el 14% de los artículos especiales y el 8% de los editoriales declaraban alguna fuente de financiación. En el 51,5% de los casos ésta era exclusivamente pública, en el 36,5% exclusivamente privada y en el 10% mixta. Conclusiones: Existe una variabilidad considerable en la declaración de las fuentes de financiación en los artículos que aparecen en las cuatro revistas biomédicas españolas analizadas. Sería necesario mejorar los requerimientos de eclaración de fuentes de financiación, haciéndolos uniformes, claros y transparentes (AU)

Background: The source of research funding can result in bias, and its disclosure is essential in the publication of results. The aim of the study is to identify the frequency and type of sources of funding in the articles published by four Spanish biomedical journals published in Spanish. Material and methods: The frequency and type of financial disclosures in the articles published during 2012 in the ordinary numbers of Atención Primaria, Medicina Clínica, Revista Clínica Española and Revista Española de Cardiología were analyzed. Articles described as 'Editorial', 'Original article', 'Consensus Document', 'Review' and 'Special Article' were considered. It was decided in each case whether or not the article included any funding disclosure and the type of the declared funding (public or private). Results: Four hundred and twelve publications were analyzed. In 32.5% there was disclosure of funding: 38% in Atención Primaria, 27% in Medicina Clínica, 15% in Revista Clínica Española and 45% in Revista Española de Cardiología. By type of articles, 47% of original articles, 44% of consensus documents, 21% of reviews, 14% of special articles and 8% of editorials had a funding source. In 51.5% of the cases, funding was exclusively public, in 36.5% exclusively private and in 10% mixed. Conclusions: There is considerable variability in the disclosure of funding sources in articles appearing in these four Spanish biomedical journals. It would be necessary to improve the disclosure requirements of sources of funding, making them uniform, clear and transparent (AU)

El financiamiento de las revistas médicas / Publishing models in medical journals

Medical journals are published by scientific societies, universities, publishing agencies and other for-profit or non-profit organizations. The traditional way to cover the expenses in printed journals has been a "subscribers pay" model. The rise of electronic versions in the internet, either together with the printed version or replacing it entirely, plus a progressive adherence to an "open access" for electronic versions, has created financial difficulties. Therefore, the "authors pay" model has been added. Both models can be subsidized by commercial or institutional advertising, but still a main source for financing relies either in subscriptions or in authors' payments. A small source of income that helps to cover publishing costs is a "charge for manuscript reception", currently applied by several journals. Those authors whose work has institutional or external support can use their grants to cover any charges, but the situation is more difficult for those who do not have such support. Since 1872, Sociedad Médica de Santiago-Chilean Society of Internal Medicine, owner and publisher of Revista Médica de Chile, has employed the "subscribers pay" model, subsidized by commercial advertising and temporary sponsors (Chilean government and others). The printed journal is reproduced in an open access electronic version, in www.scielo.cl. The increasing cost of both publications systems demands a time for reflection.

A indústria de publicação contra o acesso aberto / The publishing industry against open access journals / La industria de publicación contra el acceso abierto

A publicação em revistas de acesso aberto cresceu expressivamente nos últimos anos. As publicações de acesso fechado, por sua vez, têm custo de acesso cada vez mais elevado, por se beneficiarem de um modelo econômico peculiar: o trabalho relevante e os insumos essenciais são entregues gratuitamente a fornecedores que contam com um mercado cativo, praticamente sem concorrência. O mercado editorial é altamente oligopolizado, característico de indústrias que trabalham com o regime de copyright. Isso contribui para a elevação dos preços de seus produtos. Políticas mandatórias de acesso aberto, como a determinada pela agência National Institutes of Health, constituem-se em ameaça a esse modelo de negócios e são enfrentadas pela indústria em várias frentes, incluindo a passagem de legislação para sabotar tais iniciativas. O objetivo deste comentário foi apresentar alguns aspectos principais desse enfrentamento e sugerir possíveis estratégias de incremento da publicação de acesso aberto em nosso meio.

Open-access journal publishing has significantly grown in recent years. Restricted access publications have, in turn, increasing access costs as they benefit from a unique economic model in which relevant work and essential inputs are provided free of charge to vendors who have a captive market that has almost no competition. An additional issue typical of industries that work under the copyright regime is that the oligopoly market structure of the publishing industry which in turn further contributes to increase their products' prices. Mandatory open-access policies, as determined by the NIH, constitute a threat to this business model and are being challenged by the industry on several fronts, including the passage of legislation to undermine these initiatives. The purpose of this commentary article was to review key aspects of this confrontation and to suggest potential strategies for encouraging open-access publishing in Brazil.

La publicación en revistas de acceso abierto creció expresivamente en los últimos años. Las publicaciones de acceso cerrado, por su parte, tienen costo de acceso cada vez más elevado, por beneficiarse de un modelo económico peculiar: el trabajo relevante y los insumos esenciales son entregados gratuitamente a los proveedores que cuentan con un mercado cautivo, prácticamente sin concurrencia. El mercado editorial es altamente monopolizado, característico de industrias que trabajan con el régimen de copyright. Esto contribuye a la elevación de los precios de sus productos. Políticas obligatorias de acceso abierto, como la determinada por el National Institutes of Health, constituyen amenazas a este modelo de negocios y son enfrentadas por la industria en varios ángulos, incluyendo el paso de legislación para sabotear tales iniciativas. El objetivo de este comentario fue presentar algunos aspectos principales de este enfrentamiento y sugerir posibles estrategias de incremento de la publicación de acceso abierto en nuestro medio.

El largo camino hacia el factor de impacto / The long way to impact factor

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Comentarios al documento de la Dirección General de Investigación de la Comisión Europea “Estudio de la evolución económica y técnica del mercado de las publicaciones científicas en Europa” / Commentaries to the document from the general investigation office of the European Commission

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Publishing science in the digital age. The case of Neurocirugía

Neurocirugía publica una edición impresa por suscripción y una edición electrónica en Internet de acceso gratuito. La convivencia de estos dos esquemas plantea algunos interrogantes sobre su justificación y sobre su evolución esperada, tales como ¿Por qué un acceso de pago y otro gratuito? ¿Conviene cobrar o limitar el acceso electrónico? ¿Cómo cambia Internet el servicio a la sociedad que proporciona la revista?¿Seguirán conviviendo la versión impresa y la electrónica? En este artículo presentamos algunas respuestas y reflexiones sobre las preguntas anteriores. Muchas de estas reflexiones se basan en ideas presentadas y discutidas en editoriales previos de Neurocirugía (ver Neurocirugía 17 (2), 2006), y son aquí reorganizadas, reenfocadas o complementadas de forma conveniente para responder a los interrogantes planteados. A partir de un análisis de costes y beneficios para los distintos agentes implicados (autores, lectores, la propia revista, la Sociedad Española de Neurocirugía, la sociedad en su conjunto), justificamos la coexistencia actual de los dos esquemas de publicación, defendemos el acceso gratuito por Internet, y exponemos nuestra visión sobre la evolución esperada. Si bien nos centramos particularmente en Neurocirugía, la mayoría de las consideraciones realizadas son extensibles a la publicación y al futuro esperado de otras revistas científicas

Neurocirugía publishes a printed edition for subscribers, and also an electronic edition which is available online free of charge. The coexistence of these two formats raises some issues regarding their justification and their future evolution, e.g. why does a subscription-based journal offer free online access? Would it be wise to charge for -or somewhat limit- the electronic access to the Journal? How is the Internet changing the benefits to society that the Journal provides? Will the printed and the electronic edition of the Journal continue to coexist? This paper provides some answers and reflections on these questions. Many of our considerations are based on ideas that have been presented and discussed in a series of editorials in Neurocirugía (see Neurocirugía 17 (2), 2006); in this paper we reconsider, complement, and rearrange previous arguments to address the issues mentioned above. Based on an analysis of economic costs and of all the stakeholders involved (authors, readers, the Journal, the Spanish Society of Neurosurgery, and society as a whole), we justify the present coexistence of the two publishing formats, defend free online access, and provide our view onthe expected evolution of the Journal. While we focus primarily on Neurocirugía, most of our reflections can be carried over to other scientific journals