Table 3 Competency-related statements ^a

1

Review study protocols and methods and encourage authors to make them publicly available

1

2

Ensure authors are aware of ethical authorship practices

5

3

Seek to help authors understand magnitude of effect

1

4

Assist potential authors in developing a spirit of inquiry

1

5

Develop wide acquaintance with potential authors

4

6

Demonstrate accountability to authors and ensure they are treated with fairness, courtesy, and objectivity

36

7

Provide constructive criticism to authors

3

8

Engage in mentorship and education of authors to help them produce work to best effect

30

9

Mediate sound communication between the comments of reviewers and responses of authors

4

10

Ensure publication decisions are clearly communicated to all authors

7

11

Interact with authors to confirm undisputed changes in authorship and act on any institutional findings concerning authorship disputes

1

12

Clarify the peer-review processes to authors

2

13

Negotiate manuscript publication delays with authors

1

14

Deal with authors who appeal against rejection

7

15

Ensure authors are informed about journal and article information and/or funding

13

16

Ensure that requests from authors that an individual not review their submission are respected, if these are well-reasoned

2

17

Engage in critical evaluation of authors’ manuscripts and the peer-review process itself

3

18

Provide active encouragement for revisions of manuscripts

2

19

Demonstrate experience as a competent author, academic, researcher, or reviewer

6

20

Demonstrate proficiency in dealing with author misconduct and other issues related to publication ethics

35

21

Work with publishers to defend author rights and pursue offenders

1

22

Act on concerns about plagiarism, data fabrication, or an authorship issue and follow-up with authors and then institutions

13

23

Request full disclosure of potential conflicts of interest by the authors

2

24

Support authors in dealing with breaches of copyright and plagiarism issues

4

25

Request appropriate documentation from authors when they submit manuscripts

6

26

Develop, facilitate, and monitor the peer review process

32

27

Knowledge of different types of peer review

4

28

Encourage and demonstrate awareness of new findings on peer review and publishing and how these influence their journal’s processes

3

29

Review revised manuscripts

1

30

Provide guidance to peer reviewers

11

31

Ensure thorough statistical review

3

32

Ensure that peer review panels for individual papers are not biased

4

33

Evaluate and provide feedback to the reviewers on review quality

9

34

Ensure manuscript content is matched with the expertise of particular reviewers

13

35

Monitor and ensure the fairness, timeliness, thoroughness, and civility in the processing of manuscripts and in responding to queries from authors and reviewers

37

36

Demonstrate knowledge of the workings of the peer review process

7

37

Train peer reviewers

2

38

Ensure reviewer comments are shared with all peer reviewers

1

39

Synthesize reviews and make ultimate editorial decisions in light of peer reviewers’ comments

10

40

Evaluate manuscripts in light of reviewers’ critiques and various selection criteria

5

41

Demonstrate the ability to distinguish between objective peer reviewed research and reviews from opinion and the journal content from advertising and other promotional content

2

42

Ensure reviewers who consistently produce discourteous, poor quality, or late reviews are removed from the journal’s pool of peer reviewers

1

43

Ensure a decision is made on a manuscript when reviewers fail to submit a timely review

1

44

Ensure a very high standard of the referees, don’t accept sloppy reports from anyone

2

45

Demonstrate publication and reviewing skills and experience

1

46

Ensure that reviewers keep manuscripts, associated material, and the information they contain strictly confidential

6

47

Demonstrate sound judgment in the acceptance of research articles, editorials, and reviews that touch on current issues

7

48

Demonstrate knowledge of marketing and advertising policies, including ethical issues

9

49

Demonstrate knowledge of the article embargo process

1

50

Demonstrate knowledge of indexing services

7

51

Demonstrate knowledge of reprint processes

2

52

Demonstrate knowledge of the specifications of the journal

5

53

Demonstrate knowledge of the goals of the journal

4

54

Demonstrate knowledge of formatting of layout for journal issues

6

55

Ensure the content of manuscripts submitted for publication is checked for accuracy

1

56

Demonstrate knowledge of the different parts, purposes, and characteristics of different types of journals

4

57

Demonstrate understanding of the editorial office and operations

22

58

Ensure that selected/published research is correct

2

59

Demonstrate knowledge about legal issues relating to the position of scientific editor

5

60

Be aware of how design can be used to improve the readability of a document

1

61

Demonstrate understanding of one’s responsibilities and rights as a journal editor

14

62

Demonstrate knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of the editorial staff

4

63

Identify and address issues related to data protection and confidentiality

2

64

Demonstrate knowledge of journal metrics and research impact

9

65

Demonstrate knowledge of online publishing and products

13

66

Demonstrate knowledge of the parts, purposes, and characteristics of audio and video clips

2

67

Demonstrate awareness of intellectual property issues and work with publisher to handle potential breaches

1

68

Demonstrate knowledge of technical-economical aspects of medical journal production

16

69

Explore and embrace innovative technologies

5

70

Maintain close contact with the latest trends in electronic media (e.g. tablets)

4

71

Engage in multimedia publishing practices

3

72

Act as a gatekeeper and guarantor of publications, checking both the quality and scope of research published in the journal

81

73

Maintain knowledge of important developments and trends in one’s own field

10

74

Demonstrate knowledge of history of journals and scientific publications

2

75

Demonstrate knowledge of national and regional variations between journals

3

76

Demonstrate knowledge of political and geopolitical issues

2

77

Demonstrate familiarity with associations and their educational resources

5

78

Stay on top of updates in one’s field

3

79

Demonstrate knowledge of, and work to maintain and improve the journal’s policies, vision, scope, content, processes, and goals

20

80

Ensure decisions are based on the validity of the work and its importance to the journal’s readers

4

81

Ensure controversial topics (political, ethical) are dealt with

3

82

Stimulate others to write articles and editorials

3

83

Engage in the promotion of scholarly research and best practices in conducting and reporting it

9

84

Entice leading researchers to submit to the journal

7

85

Serve as ambassador for the journal in establishing its visibility and image

10

86

Motivate physicians to read, ponder, and implement the information provided

1

87

Seek feedback/opinions on the journal

4

88

Enhance public understanding of science

3

89

Demonstrate understanding of who one’s constituency is

44

90

Demonstrate a responsibility to the scientific community

8

91

Hold paramount the interests of the particular journal’s readers

26

92

Engage in communication with the public

8

93

Engage with existing and new scientific communities

2

94

Demonstrate knowledge of policies for submission of manuscripts

1

95

Demonstrate broad and detailed knowledge of the skills needed to refine a piece of scientific work and shepherd it through to publication

27

96

Demonstrate knowledge of typography

4

97

Demonstrate knowledge of and experience with online editing

1

98

Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamentals of editing various types of science copy

3

99

Enforce ICMJE authorship guidelines

2

100

Ensure logic and consistency of manuscripts

2

101

Demonstrate the ability to assess the quality of papers

7

102

Ensure papers selected are clinically relevant

3

103

Ensure papers selected have a clear story-line

1

104

Demonstrate the ability to select material for its merit, interest to readers, and originality alone

11

105

Ensure papers selected are suitable to the journal

4

106

Ensure papers selected for review are meaningful

5

107

Ensure manuscripts are triaged judiciously (for journals that use such a process)

2

108

Demonstrate the ability to form preliminary opinions on a submitted manuscript’s relevance

8

109

Demonstrate the ability to make fast, good decisions about papers

6

110

Demonstrate the ability to make difficult decisions

5

111

Demonstrate the ability to exercise excellent judgment

8

112

Handle manuscripts in the areas of one’s expertise and assist in finding persons qualified to handle papers in those areas outside one’s expertise

2

113

Engage in and maintain interactions and good relations with media

11

114

Select, curate, and comment on articles for publication

1

115

Ensure alterations recommended based on peer reviewers’ comments can be justified

1

116

Demonstrate experience or familiarity with manuscript tracking software (e.g. ScholarOne, AllenTrack, PeerTrack, BenchPress)

6

117

Demonstrate aptitude in using technology (computers, Internet, e-mail, Manuscript Submission Systems) to perform his or her editorial duties)

12

118

Possess a degree in medical editing or be trained as a journal editor

2

119

Demonstrate the ability to write editorials

2

120

Demonstrate working knowledge of the language in which the journal is published

6

121

Demonstrate skills in speed reading, skim reading, and critical reading

2

122

Demonstrate an aptitude for reading widely, deeply, and continually

3

123

Demonstrate experience and/or training in medical journal writing

11

124

Demonstrate understanding of the parts, purposes, and characteristics of tables, charts, graphs, and images

12

125

Demonstrate familiarity with scientific units, numerals, symbols, and nomenclature

17

126

Demonstrate familiarity with the presentation of data and data presentation problems

3

127

Demonstrate familiarity with the basic concepts of statistics

12

128

Demonstrate knowledge of literature reviews

1

129

Demonstrate familiarity with the principles of scientific investigation

3

130

Demonstrate familiarity with types of evidence

2

131

Demonstrate familiarity with scientific referencing

4

132

Demonstrate familiarity with clinical research design

6

133

Demonstrate knowledge of types of manuscripts

9

134

Be working towards a deeper understanding of multiple research epistemologies

1

135

Assist non-native speakers in dealing with language issues

7

136

Demonstrate knowledge of issues around registration (i.e. trials, systematic reviews, protocols)

4

137

Demonstrate knowledge of and adherence to the principles of editorial independence

25

138

Demonstrate expertise in ensuring the ethical integrity of publications

33

139

Identify and address allegations of fraud or plagiarism

9

140

Demonstrate understanding of privacy, confidentiality, and anonymity issues

13

141

Identify and address issues related to conflicts of interest

34

142

Identify and address issues related to industry-sponsored research

6

143

Separate decision-making from commercial considerations

3

144

Demonstrate knowledge of the ethical approval process for research involving humans and animals

7

145

Ensure the respect and privacy of patients described in clinical studies

7

146

Safeguard the rights of study participants and animals

9

147

Demonstrate understanding of issues related to dual-use research (research with multiple purposes or applications)

2

148

Identify and apply appropriate reporting guidelines

5

149

Guarantee access to, and long term preservation of, the published information

3

150

Encourage debate on important topics related to the journal

2

151

Promote higher standards of medical journalism

1

152

Identify and work to avoid publication bias

3

153

Demonstrate knowledge of COPE resources for editors, authors, and peer reviewers

5

154

Demonstrate knowledge of copyright issues

2

155

Demonstrate knowledge regarding problems with multiple publications (e.g. salami, duplicate, redundant)

9

156

Identify and address incongruities and bias in manuscripts

1

157

Recommend publication of papers that meet standards of scientific rigor

2

158

Identify and address issues related to image manipulation

2

159

Demonstrate experience and broad knowledge of the field(s) covered by the journal and of the people working in those fields

19

160

Demonstrate the ability to work in a team

14

161

Delegate/divide the workload

4

162

Communicate clearly with others

16

163

Effectively summarize manuscripts in fields outside your experience

1

164

Possess a Doctorate or Master’s Degree in related content area

8

165

Demonstrate an academic education that includes science training or experience in a research environment

17

166

Demonstrate experience and aptitude in conflict resolution

6

167

Demonstrate excellent organizational, project, and time management skills, including the ability to work under considerable time pressure

20

168

Maintain part time professional practice

2

169

Maintain membership in learned societies and editing-related associations

5

170

Be recognized as a distinguished scholar in one’s field

8

171

Maintain an active research portfolio/is employed in a research-oriented university or institute

5

172

Demonstrate past experience on an editorial board

1

173

Demonstrates competence as a practitioner in their field

2

174

Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills

5

175

Demonstrate good analytical skills

6

176

Demonstrate effective critical appraisal skills

4

177

Demonstrate the ability to achieve consensus among opinionated scientists

1

178

Demonstrate leadership skills

20

179

Demonstrate political and public relations sense

3

180

Demonstrate self-motivation

5

181

Demonstrate enthusiasm

4

182

Demonstrate tolerance and persistence

5

183

Demonstrate boldness

6

184

Demonstrate independent thinking

4

185

Maintain visibility and respect among peers and in the larger scientific community

4

186

Maintain rigid criteria

1

187

Demonstrate the ability to perpetuate or challenge master narratives

1

188

Exercise convictions with a positive attitude

1

189

Demonstrate a willingness to reconsider decisions

8

190

Demonstrate practicality

3

191

Demonstrate decisiveness

4

192

Demonstrate personal interest in medical ‘journalology’ or ‘editology’

3

193

Demonstrate an enjoyment of learning and a questioning mind

3

194

Demonstrate the desire to advance their field of study

15

195

Have access to a good academic network or have the potential to grow one

2

196

Demonstrate patience when dealing with authors and reviewers

4

197

Demonstrate knowledge of processes related to the editorial board

10

198

Respond promptly to complaints

7

199

Act with integrity and accountability

39

200

Engage with social media to reach out beyond the usual specialist audiences

22

201

Demonstrate knowledge of the parts, purposes, and characteristics of manuscripts

3

202

Demonstrate knowledge of open access models

2

203

Statements related specifically to the Editor-in-Chief position ^d

68