Contemporary Economic Policy2005–2006 Editor's Report

Abstract

Volume 23 published quarterly in 2005 comprised 48 articles (655 p.) and 88 authors and coauthors from a variety of topic areas as defined by the Journal of Economic Literature classification system. Table 1 provides a distribution of articles via Journal of Economic Literature topic area. JOURNAL STATISTICS Active participation in the annual conferences of the Western Economic Association International (WEAI) is encouraged by editors and members of the editorial board. Table 2 provides information on the number of sessions that were sponsored by Contemporary Economic Policy at the annual meeting held in San Francisco in 2005 and the Pacific Rim conference held in Hong Kong in 2005. CEP sponsored 32 sessions in San Francisco (11% of the total sessions) and 12 sessions in Hong Kong (23% of the sessions). The WEAI conferences provided approximately 36% of our total manuscript submissions for 2005-2006. During the 2005-2006 publishing cycle, 111 manuscripts were submitted for review to CEP. There were 40 manuscripts submitted from the San Francisco conference as well as 71 nonconference submissions. At this time, 5 manuscripts have been accepted for publication and 45 rejected with 61 decisions pending. These figures are consistent with the more recent acceptance rates ranging from 23% in 1999-2000 to approximately 30% in 2003-2004 (see Table 2). An important contribution to enhancing the quality of the journal is the refereeing process. CEP uses a double-blind process with the objective of obtaining three referee reports for each manuscript. As Table 2 demonstrates, we are making a significant effort to contact referees and make sure that the editorial team has well-grounded input in order to make informed decisions regarding the manuscripts. During 2005-2006 we received 240 referee reports that have helped to provide constructive input to improve accepted manuscripts as well as input for authors of rejected manuscripts. Individuals who have generously provided their contribution as referees for the journal are listed in Table 3. The time to decision for authors is a critical variable for most journals but is particularly important for CEP since the objective is to inform current policy debates. The editorial team is working hard to reduce the time to first decision so that important contributions to the policy debates are available as soon as possible. The most recent statistics indicate that a first decision is made in 23 weeks on average for 2004-2006, down from 34 weeks on average in 2003-2005. Our objective is to reduce the average to 20 weeks this coming year. In order to achieve this objective, we have modified our manuscript processing procedures. We have increased the use of electronic media to circulate the manuscripts to coeditors and referees. Also, we contact potential referees in order to receive a commitment to referee prior to sending the manuscript. These changes are beginning to show positive results and reducing the time to make a first decision on a manuscript. We are also in the process of converting to an online submission process. We expect to have the system fully functional by January 2007. BEST ARTICLE AND EDITOR'S CHOICE AWARDS As with every volume there are a number of articles deserving of special recognition. The editorial team wishes to recognize two articles of particular relevance to policy debates in two important areas, social security reform and environmental regulation. Best Article Award Harris, Amy Rehder, John Sabelhaus, and Michael Simpson. Social Security Benefit Uncertainty under Individual Accounts. Contemporary Economic Policy, 23 (1): 1-16. doi: 10.1093/cep/byi001. Editor's Choice Award Schwarz, Peter M. Multipollutant Efficiency Standards for Electricity Production. Contemporary Economic Policy, 23 (3): 341-356. doi: 10.1093/cep/byi026. CHANGES AT THE JOURNAL During the past year we have been able to add Steve Yamarik from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), to the editorial team. …