In this issue of THE JOURNAL, we publish 33 articles, based on presentations
in Prague, Czech Republic, on subjects surrounding the publication of science
relevant to clinicians. This constitutes the third such theme issue of JAMA,
since our announcement in 1986 that we would hold a conference to present
research into editorial peer review.1
Publication has always been a central part of the research process,
but there had, before this, been remarkably few serious investigations into
its workings,1- 3
though no shortage of opinion written in the absence of facts. The lack of
information was particularly surprising given the strong prejudices being
advanced for and against peer review.1 Now,
12 years later, some questions about peer review are being answered. More
importantly, a growing number of our colleagues accept that their processes
are worthy of serious study, and that, as we face the future, it makes sense
to monitor our performance and to base changes in the way journals operate
on objective evidence.