Summary

Objective: Peer review is a critical process in the publication of scientific findings; trainees and young investigators, however, have few opportunities to learn systematically how to review manuscripts. Journal editors have an opportunity to engage trainees and young investigators in the peer review process early during their career. Methods: Methods of Information in Medicine, an official journal of the International Medical Informatics Association, is initiating a Student Editorial Board. The journal invites applications from international graduate and post-doctoral training programs that have a focus on health informatics, biomedical informatics, or a related field. Results: Each year up to six trainees will be invited to join the Student Editorial Board. The trainees will go through a mentored training experience that includes an active involvement in the various aspects of peer review during their one to two-year term of appointment. Conclusions: The journal expects that the Student Editorial Board will benefit trainees and young investigators in becoming skilled reviewers and engaged peers who can offer professional, constructive, and informative feedback and enhance the process of scientific communication.