2011 Editor Report

Abstract

Here is the printed version of the report of the editor as presented to the ARIA meeting in August 2011. 1. SUBMISSIONS AND PUBLICATION STATISTICS (JULY 18, 2011) Table 1 provides the historical summary of JRI statistics, including resubmissions as before 2007. This table updates the historical trends in submissions, acceptance rates, and international submission rates (outside of the USA). It also presents the average processing time. The number of submissions increased significantly to 253 in 2010. The acceptance rate has consistently been below 20 percent since 2006. The average processing time decreased significantly to an average of 101 days in 2010. The number of submissions in Table I includes resubmissions. The numbers in Table 2 reflect new submissions only. This presentation style has a significant effect on the numbers and particularly on the acceptance rates. The second table also shows a continuous decrease in the acceptance rate of new submissions. The number of new submissions is quite stable since 2006. The average processing time is also affected by the second method of presenting statistics, shown in Table 2, because the peer-review process is shorter in the second run. The average processing time in Table 2 applies to the first submission, while Table I shows the average over the total number of rounds for which the paper receives a different manuscript number. Many journals publish the type of statistics shown in Table 2, which seem to have the greatest influence over where authors decide to submit their articles for publication. They also paint a more accurate picture of new submissions and acceptance rates. Since January 2007, we have been suggesting a 3-month deadline to the referees. We have also adopted a screening process whereby we return some manuscripts to the authors without a detailed referee report. This screening is usually done by the editor or an associate editor whose expert knowledge on the subject qualifies him or her to decide whether to reject the paper or send it to referees. The two main reasons for returning a paper after the screening process are: (1) a low probability that it will measure up to the standards of the Journal and (2) lack of a link between the content of the paper and the mission of the Journal. The screening process seems to have improved the average processing time in both tables. The last column of both tables provides the international submission rates. A paper is considered international if the affiliation of the corresponding author is outside the United States. Before 2007, a different criterion applied. A paper was considered international if the affiliation of any one of its authors was outside the USA. We have chosen this new criterion because it better highlights the international status of the paper. It is also easier to manage. As the numbers show, the Journal's international reach remains stable over the years with an exception in 2007. More than 50 percent of the papers submitted come from outside the USA. For new manuscripts, the ratio is higher than 60 percent. Tables 3 and 4 show the publication statistics and Table 5 presents the status of manuscripts by year. The measures adopted over the last 2 years have enabled the Journal to significantly reduce the backlog the 3 years preceding the current year. Only 36 articles accepted before 2011 have not been published yet; 10 of the 59 accepted papers in the total backlog will be published in the September issue, and about 12 will be published in the December issue. Following the new contract with Wiley-Blackwell, the Journal will publish 1,100 pages a year instead of 1,000, starting in 2012. Table 6 shows waiting periods for the first decision, measured in months. As you can see, the evaluation process during the first 4 months improved in 2010 (as well as in 2011). The average processing time is 3.93 months in 2010 while it was 5.8 months in 2007. …