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The slowdown in first-response times of economics journals: Can it be beneficial?

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  • Azar, Ofer H.

Abstract

The first response time (henceforth FRT) of economics journals has increased over the last four decades from 1-2 months to 3-6 months. The optimal FRT, however, is not zero, because the FRT deters submission of mediocre papers to good journals and consequently saves valuable time of referees and editors. The change in the actual FRT is in the same direction as the change in the optimal FRT, which has increased because of the availability of research on the Internet prior to publication and because the costs of refereeing a paper have increased.

Suggested Citation

  • Azar, Ofer H., 2002. "The slowdown in first-response times of economics journals: Can it be beneficial?," MPRA Paper 4478, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:4478
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Academic review process; First response times; Turnaround times; Journals; Publishing; Slowdown; Refereeing; Economics journals; Editorial process;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L82 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Entertainment; Media
    • A19 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Other
    • A14 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Sociology of Economics
    • A10 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - General
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions

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