Adequacy of authors' replies to criticism raised in electronic letters to the editor: cohort study

摘要

STUDY QUESTION Is substantive criticism in letters to the editor, defined as a problem that could invalidate the research or reduce its reliability, adequately addressed by the authors? SUMMARY ANSWER Authors responded to substantive criticism in only about half of the cases. WHAT IS KNOWN AND WHATTHIS PAPER ADDS Letters to the editor about research papers serve a useful role as post publication peer review and for the advancement of science. Editors should encourage authors to respond adequately-for example, by making a contract between the author and journal on acceptance of an article.