Publication delays and associated factors in ophthalmology journals

Abstract

Introduction This study aimed to evaluate the publication delays and correlative factors of peer-reviewed ophthalmology journals. Methods The ophthalmology journals listed in the Journal Citation Report 2020 were retrieved from the Web of Science database. The first original research article of each journal issue from January to December 2020 was extracted, and its submission, final revision, acceptance, and publication dates were obtained. Information on impact factors, advance online publication (AOP) status, open access (OA) rate and acceptance rate in 2020 was also collected. The correlations between publication delays and potential associated factors were analyzed. Results A total of 58 ophthalmology journals were included and information on 685 articles was collected. The median times from submission to acceptance, from acceptance to publication, and from submission to publication were 118.0 (IQR, 74.0–185.0) days, 31.0 (IQR, 15.0–64.0) days, and 161.0 (IQR, 111.0–232.0) days, respectively. A higher impact factor was correlated with shorter delays of acceptance and publication (P 0.05). No correlation between OA rate and publication delays or impact factors was detected (all P > 0.05). Conclusions Journals with higher impact factors and lower acceptance rates tend to have quicker publication processes. No significant associations were detected between publication delays and AOP or OA rate.

Keywords

• Publication delays
• Ophthalmology journals
• Bibliometrics
• Impact factor