Announcing web‐based submission and peer review processes: ScholarOne Manuscripts

Abstract

As part of our continuing efforts to support both authors and reviewers, we are pleased to announce that, from 1 January 2010, Insect Science will be adopting a web-based submission and peer review system called ScholarOne Manuscripts. All new manuscript submissions should now be made at http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/ins. We trust that this system will be quick and convenient for both authors and reviewers, and will enable us to reduce the time it takes to make a decision on a manuscript by reducing postal and other delays throughout the editorial process. Although we realise that this may take some time to get used to, we would like all authors and reviewers to use the new online submission and review process. Manuscripts previously submitted using paper-based procedures will continue through the old system. Manuscript submission is a step-by-step process needing little special preparation other than having all parts of the manuscript in an electronic format and having access to a computer with an Internet connection and a web-browser. To submit a manuscript to Insect Science, authors should go to http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/ins, where they can upload the manuscript and any other material they would like to communicate to the editor. Full help and instructions are provided on-screen. As an author, you will be prompted for author and manuscript details and then to upload your manuscript file(s). In order to ensure that your manuscript conforms to journal style, please consult the ‘Instructions to Contributors’, which is located at the back of every issue, or the ‘Author Guidelines’, which can be found on the journal's homepage at http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/ins. In the future, all correspondence will be by email. A completed submission is confirmed by email immediately and your paper will then enter the editorial process. Your manuscript will have a unique manuscript number and you can check the progress of your manuscript at any time by returning to http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/ins. When a decision is made, revisions can be submitted online, with an opportunity to view and respond to all comments. Manuscript review will also be handled online. Reviewers will be given full instructions and access to the paper at http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/ins. The review form and comments can be completed online and immediately made available to the Journal and the Editor. Full support for both authors and reviewers is provided. Each page of the website has a ‘Get Help Now’ icon connecting directly to the online support system at http://mchelp.manuscriptcentral.com. For further guidance, please consult the ‘Instructions to Contributors’, which is located at the back of every issue, or the ‘Author Guidelines’, which can be found at http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/ins. If you do not have Internet access or cannot submit online, the Editorial Office will help with online submissions. Please contact the Editorial Office by email, [email protected], tel: +86 64807095, fax: +86 64807099. We hope that authors and reviewers will find that the new system makes their lives easier and we look forward to the new system streamlining the review process, leading to rapid decision-making and ensuring that the time from submission to publication is as short as possible.