A Snapshot of ASJ Reader Opinions

Abstract

I love surveys. A survey, or poll, can provide valuable guidance for decision-making, and that’s usually the reason for conducting it. One can always argue about the reliability of surveys and polls, as there are many traps and errors that can skew results. That’s why polls on the same subject can vary greatly and why political candidates and pundits endlessly argue over which polls should be believed and which should not. The survey that is the subject of this editorial is, fortunately, far less controversial. It is merely a “snapshot in time” of the opinions of Aesthetic Surgery Journal ( ASJ ) readers. Such opinions are always evolving. This survey is one of several being conducted over the coming months to gauge ASJ readers’ perceptions and preferences. Aesthetic Surgery Journal ’s official sponsor, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), conducted this survey among a sample of ASJ readers late in 2011. The primary purpose was to gain insight into how well the Journal currently is meeting the needs of our subscribers in the key areas of content, quality, and accessibility. The survey results suggest that overall satisfaction with ASJ is high, with 95.1% of respondents rating their satisfaction with the Journal either a “4” or “5” on a five-point scale, with “5” being “extremely satisfied” (43.6%). Furthermore, an impressive 79% of respondents indicated Aesthetic Surgery Journal would be their first choice among professional journals for submission of an article on an aesthetic surgery topic. For a relatively young journal, that level of endorsement is truly extraordinary. Such positive evaluations are, of course, gratifying to the editors, authors, and staff who work so tirelessly to deliver the best possible journal content. However, there is always room for improvement. We wanted our survey to dig deeper—to suggest specific ways in which we …