Core competencies for scientific editors of biomedical journals: consensus statement

Citation

Moher D, Galipeau J, Alam S, Barbour V, Bartolomeos K, Baskin P, Bell-Syer S, Cobey KD, Chan L, Clark J, Deeks J, Flanagin A, Garner P, Glenny A & Groves T (2017) Core competencies for scientific editors of biomedical journals: consensus statement. BMC Medicine, 15 (1), Art. No.: 167. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-017-0927-0

Abstract
Background  Scientific editors are responsible for deciding which articles to publish in their journals. However, we have not found documentation of their required knowledge, skills, and characteristics, or the existence of any formal core competencies for this role.  Methods  We describe the development of a minimum set of core competencies for scientific editors of biomedical journals.  Results  The 14 key core competencies are divided into three major areas, and each competency has a list of associated elements or descriptions of more specific knowledge, skills, and characteristics that contribute to its fulfillment.  Conclusions  We believe that these core competencies are a baseline of the knowledge, skills, and characteristics needed to perform competently the duties of a scientific editor at a biomedical journal.

Keywords
Core competencies; Scientific editor; Biomedical journal; Delphi; Expert consensus; Editor role

Notes
Additional co-authors: Kurinchi Gurusamy, Farrokh Habibzadeh, Stefanie Jewell-Thomas, Diane Kelsall, José Florencio LapeñaJr, Harriet MacLehose, Ana Marusic, Joanne E. McKenzie, Jay Shah, Larissa Shamseer, Sharon Straus, Peter Tugwell, Elizabeth Wager, Margaret Winker and Getu Zhaori

Journal
BMC Medicine: Volume 15, Issue 1