Veterinary pathology and peer review

The excellence of a journal depends on the quality of peer review. The process of publishing scientific discoveries depends on considerable work by unpaid experts who volunteer time as peer reviewers. Peer reviewers are the essential gatekeepers who maintain high standards of scientific rigor. Equally important, many manuscripts are significantly improved when the authors respond to insightful suggestions from peer reviewers. Veterinary Pathology has been fortunate over the years in having a pool of highly dedicated and high-quality reviewers. Scientists are motivated to spend time reviewing manuscripts for a number of reasons. Altruism and service to the community of science, and to the discipline of veterinary pathology, motivate many to spend time reading and reviewing manuscripts, but these are not the only reasons. Curiosity and the desire to stay current are equally important. Reviewers enjoy the challenge involved in the careful analysis and assessment of a manuscript. Finally, for the success of Veterinary Pathology, manuscripts must be reviewed carefully and rapidly, and this would be impossible without the active participation of the broad scientific community. Conflict with other workloads is a major reason that potential reviewers decline invitations to review manuscripts. As discussed in the 2007 American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP) Town Hall meeting, pathologists have increasing demands on their time, and the stresses of multitasking continue to increase. The problem is compounded by the retirement or death of some of the stalwart experts of veterinary pathology.