We’re pleased to announce the publication of our article titled Publisher perspectives on plain language summaries of scientific publications: an Open Pharma survey.1
At Open Pharma, we have long supported the development of plain language summaries (PLS) that are hosted alongside scientific publications, and we have published recommendations to help standardize PLS of peer-reviewed medical journal publications.2,3
“We would like to see all journals allow text-only plain language summaries that are accessible for all.”
Chris Winchester, Oxford PharmaGenesis
We developed a publisher-specific survey, deployed in late 2022 and early 2023, to better understand the PLS policy landscape across publishers, engage with publishers regarding PLS, and encourage more publishers of medical research to offer their authors the chance to include PLS.
The results of the survey revealed that many journals are yet to adopt PLS, with just 27% of the 26 individual journals surveyed allowing authors to submit PLS. The most common reasons for individual journals not offering PLS included a perceived lack of reader/author demand and relevance to journal content.
“Despite the benefits of plain language summaries in reaching non-specialist audiences, many journals still do not offer plain language summaries as an option.”
Slávka Baróniková, Galápagos
However, of the individual journals surveyed that do allow authors to submit a PLS, 86% (6/7) agreed that publishing PLS alongside the scientific abstract may increase or diversify journal readership.
Of note, the survey found that PLS are not always peer reviewed alongside the manuscript, and each journal has its own practices in place when it comes to indexing PLS.
- Of the seven individual journals that allowed PLS submission, three included them in the peer review package alongside the manuscript and three did not peer review PLS; one respondent was unsure of their journal’s PLS peer review policy.
- Only one of the seven individual journals that accept PLS noted the use of a PLS-specific metatag when submitting information to PubMed for indexing.
“Journals have an opportunity to educate and provide guidance for researchers to deliver high-quality plain language summaries.”
Adeline Rosenberg, Oxford PharmaGenesis
These results reveal that journals could do more to support the publication of PLS. We encourage all journals to allow authors to submit a short, abstract-style PLS with any manuscript submission, and to consider whether current practices are aligned with the Open Pharma recommendations.2,3
Don’t have time to read the full article? Watch our short video presented by author Slávka Baróniková or take a look at our summary infographic.
References
- Baróniková S, Rosenberg A, Winchester CC et al. Publisher perspectives on plain language summaries of scientific publications: an Open Pharma survey. Med Writ 2024;33:54–61. doi:10.56012/pzwh6593.
- Rosenberg A, Baróniková S, Feighery L et al. Infographic: Open Pharma recommendations for plain language summaries of peer-reviewed medical journal publications. Curr Med Res Opin 2022;38:881–2. doi:10.1080/03007995.2022.2072570.
- Rosenberg A, Baróniková S, Feighery L et al. Open Pharma recommendations for plain language summaries of peer-reviewed medical journal publications. Curr Med Res Opin 2021;37:2015–6. doi:10.1080/03007995.2021.1971185.
