Reducing time waste for authors: JBI Evidence Synthesis introduces streamlined submissions

A very unscientific straw poll of a small number of contributors to the journal was conducted in late 2024, with 100% of respondents reporting that formatting manuscripts for submission is a particular pain point for authors. Indeed, research tells us that approximately US$2.5 billion could be lost between 2022 and 2030 in researcher time spent formatting articles for journal submission, and that it takes around 14 hours for an author to reformat a single manuscript.1 When you factor in some journals’ relatively high desktop rejection rates, that wasted time quickly mounts up. One article estimated the rejection rate to be almost 80% among the “top” journals.2 Journals have valid reasons for wanting manuscripts to be formatted to their specifications. It creates a consistent look across all manuscripts, streamlines processes for its editorial staff, and allows peer reviewers and editors to easily assess that all required elements are present. A journal like JBI Evidence Synthesis requires authors to adhere to stringent methodology standards, which are more easily reviewed when authors submit formatted manuscripts. JBI Evidence Synthesis aids authors in this endeavor with templates3 available on its website and in programs such as the JBI System for the Unified Management, Assessment and Review of Information (JBI SUMARI).4 Still, we recognize that is cold comfort to authors who are undertaking the laborious process of reformatting a manuscript for possible desktop rejection. A journal only survives because of authors who submit high-quality, relevant, and interesting research. Authors and journals exist in a symbiotic relationship where authors conduct the research and journals disseminate the research. In support of this relationship, JBI Evidence Synthesis has decided to implement a pilot program of streamlined submissions to reduce the burden of submission formatting requirements. What are streamlined submissions? While the journal will never be truly format-free, it can aim to increase the likelihood of an author being rewarded for their diligent adherence to journal standards. On January 1, 2025, JBI Evidence Synthesis introduced a pilot program where authors are no longer required to fully format their review or protocol manuscript for submission. Streamlined submissions mean that authors are not required to use the journal’s preferred referencing style, write in US style and spelling, follow the ordering of sections as per the templates, separate tables and figures from the main document, or adhere to word counts, among other things. However, authors are still expected to register their review (eg, in PROSPERO or Open Science Framework), as well as follow appropriate JBI methodology, adhere to PRISMA reporting guidelines, and meet ethical standards for scholarly publication. Some other basic components must still be included, such as meeting standards for English language, masking author identifiers, and including continuous line numbers in the document. A full list of what is required is available on the journal’s Information for Authors page.5 Before you get too excited While streamlined submissions aim to decrease time waste for authors, they must also not increase time waste for journal staff. Authors will still be asked to reformat their manuscripts to the journal’s standards, but only once acceptance is highly likely. If the manuscript content is determined to be satisfactory, the editor will send a decision of “minor revision,” at which point the author will be asked to reformat the manuscript for acceptance and publication. Publication of the article cannot proceed until the author has reformatted the manuscript to journal specifications, as outlined in the Information for Authors. We believe it is still worth asking authors to do the formatting work to enable JBI Evidence Synthesis staff to deliver the benefits that are unique to the journal. Benefits such as a dedicated in-house copyediting team mean that authors receive specialized copyediting and content checks from experienced copyeditors who can consult with in-house academic editors on issues involving methodology, research, and search strategies. Authors of systematic reviews containing recommendations for practice also have the opportunity to develop their review into a Best Practice Information Sheet for use at the point of care and are considered for the annual JBI Evidence Synthesis Impact Award. Authors of systematic or scoping reviews are also offered the opportunity to provide a translation of their abstract in a language other than English, which will then be promoted by the JBI Communications team across JBI Buzz6 and social media. The journal is always looking to stay at the forefront of methodological innovation, with our annual Methodology Month issue in March and the recent decision to accept SWARs (studies within a review) for publication.3 All of these initiatives involve a significant amount of time for the editorial staff, and we hope authors recognize their value. Looking ahead It is our hope that this pilot program graduates to become a standard process for the journal. But as with all best intentions, we cannot predict whether it will succeed. A big reason for trialing this initiative is to demonstrate that we respect our authors’ time. We want to reduce the burden that formatting can have on authors so they can focus on what they do best: research. We want our authors to think of us as a preferred journal for disseminating their research. You can be assured that we will support authors during this pilot. We hope that our author community will do the same for us as we navigate this exciting development. Streamlined submissions are now available to all authors submitting to the journal. Please email us at [email protected] with any queries. Melanie Dankel and Mara LambertJBI, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, TheUniversity of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia MD and ML are paid employees of JBI and workin the JBI Evidence Synthesis editorial office. Correspondence:Melanie Dankel[email protected]DOI: 10.11124/JBIES-24-00553