How to ensure that journals conduct rapid reviews of articles?

Ensuring rapid peer review requires journal editorial offices to implement structured efficiency protocols alongside traditional quality standards. Key principles include establishing clear reviewer selection criteria emphasizing both expertise and responsiveness, implementing standardized evaluation templates to streamline feedback, and deploying robust manuscript tracking systems with escalation protocols. Necessary conditions comprise cultivating an expanded reviewer pool with predefined turnaround commitments, providing administrative support for communication coordination, and maintaining transparent author guidelines regarding review stages. Crucially, speed must not compromise methodological rigor, necessitating quality control checkpoints. Implementation involves instituting automated submission completeness checks, mandating reviewer confirmation of availability within 48 hours, and activating automated reminders aligned with agreed timelines. Editors monitor progress daily, triggering immediate reassignment if delays occur. Successful application accelerates knowledge dissemination, enhances author satisfaction, strengthens the journal's competitiveness for high-quality submissions, and can involve recognition systems for consistently prompt reviewers.