Author Role in Online Submission and Peer Review Systems of Iranian Medical Journals

Abstract

Since the late 1990s, different web-based submission and peer review systems have emerged, and significant numbers of journals have shifted from their old paper-based systems to the web-based ones. Exploring the main features of these online systems might lead to better understand this flow. This study was performed to examine the features and capabilities of online submissions and peer review systems, with focus on the  author role,  which have been currently using by Iranian, approved medical and biomedical journals. This descriptive study was conducted during 2011-2012. The population of the study was peer review systems of approved medical and biomedical journals by Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Iran. In  this term, 199 journals were identified. Data were gathered by a standardized, researcher made checklist. The data were analyzed using SPSS 18 and Microsoft Excel 2007. 27 out of 199 journals were using no systems. 21 out of 199 were using 12 systems with inaccessible information or unknown status (which were removed from this study), and 151 journals were using 6 systems which were examined in this study. Evaluated systems were more than 80% in compliance with the research checklist. Due to rapid changes in information technology and information systems` designs, it is required for such systems to be constantly evaluated. It is of high value to investigate new demands of beneficiary groups like authors and researchers, editorial boards, and reviewers in this regard.