Publication of Long Conference Abstracts Jeopardizes Peer-Reviewed Publication

Kenneth A. Johnson, MVSc, PhD, FACVSc, DACVS, DECVS.

One of the essential attributes of peer-reviewed research publications is that the data are new, and have not been previously published in the public domain. Authors submitting a paper for publication in Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology (VCOT), and most other journals, are required to provide a statement to this effect. This requirement is intended to prevent the inadvertent or intentional publication of so called ‘redundant, duplicate or dual publications’, further crowding the already burgeoning scientific literature.

In previous issues of VCOT, we have previously published detailed editorials on this problem of the redundant, duplicate or dual publication publication.[1] [2] These are freely available on the VCOT webpage and are recommended reading for all prospective authors.

However, I want to again highlight the problems of publication of abstracts from scientific meetings. Investigators planning to present their research at scientific meetings such as the Veterinary Orthopedic Society, European Society of Veterinary Orthopaedics and Traumatology and European College of Veterinary Surgeons annual scientific meetings are often required to submit a short abstract and a long abstract. A long abstract is generally several pages in length, and contains all the details about methodology and results of the study that allow the assessors to decide if the study is of sufficient merit to warrant acceptance for presentation at the meeting.

Generally, the short abstracts will be published in the handbook of proceedings of the meeting, a journal or both. For example, some short abstracts from the 2021 VOS meeting are published in this issue of VCOT. However, authors are strongly advised that publication of their long abstract in any format at all should NOT be permitted. If this occurs, then publication of the final version of their paper in a peer-reviewed journal could be jeopardized.

To make a distinction between a short and a long abstract, the editors of VCOT have established the following ‘line in the sand’ for the guidance of our authors. The editorial policy of VCOT is that abstracts of less than 250 words that contain only a summary of the findings of the study are not considered to be prior publications . Therefore, prospective authors should confirm with the meeting organizers that their long abstract will NOT be published or made available in the public domain in any format at all.

Publication History

Article published online:
12 July 2021

• References

• 1 Johnson KA. Redundant, duplicate or dual publication?. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2009; 22 (04) III-IV
• 2 Johnson KA. Prior publication of papers. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2015; 28 (02) V