Hakan Özdemir, Furkan Kırık
Türk Oftalmoloji Dergisi - 2025;55(5):237-238
Academic publishing is indispensable for the generation, validation, and dissemination of information. Publishing research results through a peer-review process ensures the reliability and quality of scientific literature. Each published study contributes to the body of knowledge in its field and allows findings to be shared on a global scale. Journals foster academic competition among researchers by serving as benchmarks for career development, citation, and scientific reputation.1 However, the academic publishing industry is under increasing publication pressure. According to PubMed data, the annual number of publications grew from 532,000 in 2000 to over 1.7 million in 2024, and consider also that the number of manuscripts submitted to journals far exceeds the number published.2 Because of this increasing volume, the submission-to-publication timeline can last years in some cases. Disseminating information before it becomes outdated is essential for both journals and researchers. However, the process is centered around human labor. The importance of peer reviewers in particular, who contribute on a purely voluntary basis, cannot be overstated. The ever-growing volume of publications primarily increases the burden on reviewers but also negatively impacts other time-consuming, labor-intensive steps such as pre-screening, editorial tracking, language editing, and formatting.
