MMJ publication delays : a plea and an apology

Abstract

Both authors and readers of the Malta Medical Journal would have noticed that the editorial process has been unduly slow over the past few months. Unfortunately, this observation is correct and, unusually, this delay is not entirely all due to repercussions from COVID! There have been numerous issues that have contributed to a slowing down in manuscript turnover, most beyond the control of the editorial Board.

Paradoxically, the first reason follows a positive development in that the MMJ is receiving many more submissions for possible acceptance for publication. All manuscripts are required to go through the editorial process, although a minority do not proceed beyond an initial vetting exercise at editorial level. These would include, for example, those papers found to bear an unacceptable ‘likeness’ to other previously published work after scrutiny by Turnitin (NB: ALL submitted papers are screened for plagiarism), non-exceptional case reports, or papers with little reference to the local scene. This weeding out process eliminates only a small percentage of submissions not exceeding 25%, and means that the vast majority of papers are sent out to referees. The increased number of submissions adds extra pressure on the editorial team. The latter is a finite group of volunteers who, without exception, all have other full and/or part-time jobs, and dedicate time to the MMJ oltre these commitments. Furthermore, the editorial team has not expanded to cater for this increased workload: indeed, unforeseen constraints on some staff members have, if anything, decreased their availability to the MMJ. [excerpt]