RE: REJECTION POLICY OF BOOKS FOR REVIEW IN THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY

Anders Skrondal

Division of Epidemiology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, P.O. Box 4404, Nydalen, N-0403 Oslo, Norway.

In a recent "From the Editor" note, Warren Winkelstein, Jr., describes why books are rejected from review in the American Journal of Epidemiology. One of the reasons for rejection is, according to the editor, that "they may have epidemiologic content but are too basic or redundant for our readership" (1, p. 1080). Winkelstein then goes on to single out Observational Studies by P. R. Rosenbaum (2) as an example of such a book. I believe that there is good reason to question the judgment of the editor in this case. Observational Studies has become a standard reference on principles and methods for the design and analysis of observational studies. Given that 1) most epidemiologic research is based on observational studies and 2) many epidemiologists have only a rudimentary understanding of central problems in observational studies such as confounding, I find the editor’s decision perplexing. Observational Studies is definitely neither too basic nor redundant for the readership of the American Journal of Epidemiology. On the contrary, it is precisely the kind of book that should be reviewed by the Journal and read by serious epidemiologists.

Editor’s note: In response to this letter, an editorial decision has been made to send Observational Studies out for review. However, it should be noted that, because of the large number of books received for consideration for review, it is impossible for the Journal to review all submissions even if the themes are of interest and the books of high quality.

REFERENCES

  1. Winkelstein W Jr. From the editor. (Editorial). Am J Epidemiol 2002;155:1080.[Free Full Text]
  2. Rosenbaum PR. Observational studies. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2002.




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