Joerg Heber, the new editor of the open-access journal PLOS One, tells Retraction Watch that the journal published fewer papers in 2016 due to a combination of a decline in submissions and a lower acceptance rate.
According to Retraction Watch, the number of papers published by PLOS One dropped by 22 percent between 2015 and 2016. PLOS One is multi-disciplinary and accepts all manuscripts that meet certain technical and ethical standards, Retraction Watch adds.
Heber notes that, for the same time period, the number of submissions fell by about 9 percent, and that the journal's acceptance rate fell to 50 percent. "This is lower than in the past, but we have not altered our editorial bar and remain fully committed to our mission of publishing all solid research independent of impact," Heber says. "However, we also are uncompromising in upholding our editorial standards."
Retraction Watch notes that PLOS One has had a number of papers that have been corrected or had other problems. Heber says that the journal's correction rate fell in 2016 as compared to 2014, though he notes no screening or peer review system is perfect.
As the new editor, Heber adds that he plans to raise the journal's profile as well as maintain a smooth editorial process and implement new editorial policies.