1.1.3.6 Publication Arbiter

General description

The Steering Group established the role of Publication Arbiter during its meeting in Stavanger, Norway, in 2002, and subsequently agreed that there should be two Publication Arbiters, in order to provide coverage if one was unable to fulfil the responsibilities at any time or where one had a conflict of interest. The role of the Publication Arbiter relates specifically to the publication of Cochrane reviews, and was established to help people to reach a mutually acceptable agreement in areas of dispute between the editorial teams of Cochrane Review Groups (e.g. of the appropriate home for a specific Cochrane review), and between review authors and their editorial team (e.g. when review authors are unwilling to make changes suggested by the editors). Since March 2004, Kay Dickersin, Director of the US Cochrane Center, has been Co-Publication Arbiter, initially with David Henderson-Smart of the Cochrane Neonatal Group until October 2006, and subsequently with Richard Hughes of the Cochrane Neuromuscular Disease Group. Professor Hughes resigned in February 2009, and in April 2009 the Steering Group approved Professor Rick Nelson, Deputy Co-ordinating Editor of the Cochrane Colorectal Cancer Group, as Professor Hughes' replacement.

The Steering Group approved the following job description for the Publication Arbiters in October 2005:

Responsibilities

To respond to requests for arbitration about conflict concerning publication of reviews from authors, entities, or The Cochrane Collaboration’s Ombudsmen.

To report to the Steering Group on the numbers and types of conflict being reported, the arbitration process used, and the outcomes.

Accountability

The Publication Arbiters are accountable to the Cochrane Collaboration Steering Group, and report in writing to the Group annually at its mid-year meetings.

Qualifications

One of the Publication Arbiters must be a former member of the Cochrane Collaboration Steering Group; the other need not be. No specific qualifications are required, but the Publication Arbiters are expected to have a background and skills to address the above responsibilities. They should have sufficient knowledge, experience, and previous involvement with the Collaboration to warrant selection by the Steering Group, and to have provided a written statement summarising their relevant expertise and experience to enable the Steering Group to decide on their suitability for the role. They should have a good understanding and experience of the editorial process for preparing and maintaining a Cochrane review, and to have co-authored at least one Cochrane review.

Recruitment process

The Publication Arbiters are chosen by the Steering Group from among its former members, authors and entities. Potential candidates should be nominated and seconded by current members of the Steering Group, and a nomination should be approved by the majority of the Steering Group with the approval of its Co-Chairs.

Term of position

There is no set term for the position of Publication Arbiter, but a maximum of five years would be appropriate. The two Publication Arbiters should step down at different times in order to provide continuity.