THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING

The Problem of Similar Manuscripts

Author(s): Caroline Whitbeck and Amanda Shaffer

You are the editor of The Journal of Breakthrough Research and receive a manuscript on an advance in the A area of field F. There are only three scientists you feel are expert on the topic of this paper. All three agree to review the manuscript.

The next day you receive a manuscript that is similar to the one you have already arranged to have reviewed. The methodology is somewhat different but the conclusion appears to be the same. Now both manuscripts are sitting on your desk.

How would you handle the second manuscript? Should it be sent out for review as well? To the same scientists who are reviewing the first manuscript? Why or why not?

If both manuscript prove to be of similar publishable quality, how will you handle publication, and what if any other factors will make a difference to your decision?

Would it make any difference if the first manuscript arrived with a note from the author advising you that there was another scientist/group working on this same discovery and requesting an expedited review process for her manuscript?

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