Publishing in JCD: Some Goals and Objectives

Abstract

Being named editor of the Journal of Counseling & Development (JCD) is honorific, humbling, and challenging. I follow in the footsteps of prestigious editors and scholars, each of whom has left his or her mark on JCD, the flagship journal of the American Counseling Association. When my appointment as editor elect became effective in July 2001, we began a transition year during which all manuscripts that had undergone the process of a masked review, at least for the first time, were forwarded to me by then editor Dr. Earl Ginter for a decision--either to accept, accept provisionally, reject but invite a revision, or reject. Because of Dr. Ginter's trust and confidence in me and his willingness to share his expertise and sound thinking, the transition has gone smoothly. Dr. Ginter has been editor of JCD for 5 years, and his contribution to the advancement of the scholarly base of the counseling profession is apparent vis-a-vis the quality of the journal issues that he has published. I hope to continue in that vein. As past editor of the Journal of Humanistic Counseling, Education and Development, the refereed journal of the Counseling Association for Humanistic Counseling, Education and Development, and of The Journal for the Professional Counselor, the award-winning journal of the New York Counseling Association, and having served on several editorial review boards, I do bring 12 years of editorial experience with me as I assume this new position. However, I still have much to learn, especially in terms of JCD. The sheer volume of manuscripts received can be overwhelming, and I will be relying on proven expertise of the associate editors and the members of the editorial board, the largely unsung heroes in the world of refereed journals, for their insights and sound recommendations. Although the editor has the final say and the responsibility in terms of what is to be published, he or she does not make such decisions in a vacuum. The recommendations and critiques of the editorial board and the associate editors do count heavily in any such decisions. In addition to the reviewers' critiques and recommendations, which are based on a masked review, the editor must also weigh the merits of a particular manuscript as compared with others, which may cover the same topic. As editor, I must also consider the limited space available in the journal, the needs and interests of our readership who are primarily professional counseling practitioners, and, perhaps most important, the manuscript's contribution to the scholarship base of the profession. I must also resolutely maintain a proper balance of published work between articles addressing issues involving practice and those dealing with theory. Because of the limited space previously noted, JCD can only publish between 18% and 20% of manuscripts received. I cite that figure not to discourage but to encourage. My goal as editor is not to reject, although rejection is most surely a reality, but to encourage authors and researchers to strive for excellence. What that figure means is that primarily only carefully selected manuscripts are published in JCD, and achieving acceptance says much about the author and the manuscript. It is important to note that rejection by JCD does not mean that a manuscript is not worthy of being published or that it is not publishable. JCD may not be the appropriate vehicle. Authors who receive rejection letters should actively pursue publication in other refereed journals if they ascertain that there are no fatal internal flaws that make the manuscript (usually a research one) unpublishable. Indeed, publication elsewhere is certainly possible if the author is able to put aside the very natural feelings of discouragement or anger at receiving a rejection letter, and is willing to objectively consider and implement at least some of the critiques and suggestions of the reviewers. Thompson (1995) noted The most productive scholars are (sometimes) distinguished by extraordinary intellect, but some are primarily distinguished by willingness to be systematic and persistent. …