PEER REVIEW AND THE CREDIBILITY OF
SCIENTIFIC BIOMEDICAL JOURNALS
OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Guillermo J Padron and Jose V Costales
Elfos Scientia, PO Box 6072, Havana 6, Cuba

Objective: To evaluate the effect of improvements of the peer-review process on the quality and credibility of Biotecnologia Aplicada.

Design: Changes introduced in 1995 were a) a body of referees was created according to previous referee experience, professional experience, and merits in scientific publications; b) referees were fully and regularly informed on peer review and journal policy and given feedback on the results of their work; c) a collaborative approach (double blind) between referees and authors was encouraged. The impact of improving peer review was evaluated by comparing number of submissions to the journal, rejected and published papers, subscriptions and advertisement orders in 1996 in contrast to the period of 1992 to 1994.

Results: The number of rejected papers increased from 13 (1992-1994) to 28 (1996). The number of articles published in 1992-1994 was almost doubled in 1996. Contributions from other countries increased more than 5 times, while local articles remained at the same level. Accepted papers were returned to the authors for modifications 1.5 times during the period 1992-1994, while in 1996 they were returned 3.5 times. Referees felt stimulated by the editorial policy. The publication frequency of the journal increased from 3 to 4 issues per year. Subscriptions doubled, while paid advertisement orders increased 5 times.

Conclusions: The upgrading of peer review increased the quality and credibility of Biotecnologia Aplicada. The improvement of the peer-review process should be a strategic break-point of the scientific journals of developing countries in their quest for credibility and international acceptance.

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