2009 Year in Review: the Editor-In-Chief

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2009 in Review

Editorial

2009 Year in Review: The Editor-in-Chief

JON LINDERMAN

Department of Health & Sport Science University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, USA

Linderman J. 2009 Year in Review: The Editor-in-Chief JEPonline 2009;12(6): i-v. The December issue of JEPonline marks the end of my third full year as Editor-in-Chief (EIC), succeeding in the rather large shoes of Dr. Robert A. Robergs. The past year JEPonline experienced several changes. I thought it would be prudent to review our progress, discuss the changes and challenges, and look to the future. While I received a variety of questions about JEPonline, most pertain to the appropriateness of fit for submitted a manuscript, acceptance rates, impact factor, the recent decision to institute a page charge, timeline of review, and the frustrations regarding delays.

Does My Manuscript Fit in JEPonline?

JEPonline was the first electronic peer reviewed exercise physiology journal, founded for the purpose of disseminating exercise physiology research. My own background in terms of my education, research, and teaching is one that has touched a wide array of topics in exercise physiology. Though not an expert in all areas by any means I have engaged in research of human performance, metabolism, molecular studies, and field studies, employing trained athletes, recreational athletes, older subjects, and animal research. To my way of thinking exercise physiology research encompasses everything within the field of physiology with the addition or subtraction of the acute or chronic stress of physical activity. This creates a very wide net to include a vast array of research.

One limitation we experience is having reviewers with expertise that can appropriately review a given topic. If I am uncertain of the fit for a manuscript, I will often consult the Managing Editor. However, authors should be aware that if their topic is a bit off our typical beaten path, it is likely that reviewers will be more difficult to secure, increasing the likelihood that reviews may be delayed.

2009 Submissions

There was apprehension on my part as to how authors would respond to the decision to charge a manuscript submission fee and page charges upon acceptance for publication. However, between October 2008 and October 2009, approximately 50 manuscripts were submitted to our office, and there appears to be no negative effect of these fees on the rate of submissions to JEPonline. Nearly 150 reviews were processed and received from the backbone of our operation, the reviewers. As EIC, I am grateful for the tremendous work performed by the reviewers on behalf of JEPonline and their service to profession of exercise physiology.

Acceptance and Rejection

On average the acceptance rate is ~70%. This may seem rather liberal to some researcher, but context is important. The acceptance rate does not include manuscripts that were rejected upon initial submission due to major formatting issues, or manuscripts submitted where authors were unable to pay the submission fee and potential page charges. As a type of mentoring process we have provided authors the opportunity to resubmit a manuscript that has been rejected if they completely rewrite the manuscript. This may be the case where reviewers find merit to the work, but are unable to accept the manuscript due to serious writing issues. I am reminded of one case in particular where the reviewers were enthusiastic about two efforts by an author to submit the work, but in both cases had to reject the manuscript due to serious errors in writing and format. Eventually, upon a third submission and a subsequent revision, the manuscript was published nearly 18 months after it was first submitted. This patience on our part to allow manuscripts of interest to eventually be published is, I believe, unique to JEPonline.

We are confident that our review process is stringent and consistent with other journals in our field. However, our relatively high acceptance rate reflects the time and effort we put forth to assist authors and the outstanding work by a relatively small but dedicated group of reviewers. The consistency with which JEPonline has been published during the past 3 years is a reflection of the dedication by our staff to realize Dr. Tommy Boone’s vision for JEPonline. We believe it has also instilled sufficient confidence in the academic and other research communities to submit scientific papers to JEPonline. This confidence is not something we take lightly.

How Does JEPonline Rank?

We often receive inquiries about JEPonline’s ranking with other scientific publications and as wee, its impact factor (IF). Those of us who survived the tenure battlefield, who serve as senior faculty mentoring assistant professors, and who serve on the Promotion and Tenure Committee wrestle with the IF issue to provide context to a tenure candidate’s publications. Clearly, the computer age has changed access to information in a dramatic way. At present JEPonline deos not have an IF and we can not be searched by methods such as MEDLINE. However, the availability of the Internet and the Open Access of JEPonline provides the Journal and the published authors in it with a very high exposure and acceptance throughout the scientific community.

Recently students were assigned to find an article on ultra endurance cycling that I had written. With no further instructions they found that a simple Google search combining my last name and ultra endurance cycling provided a link to a 2003 JEPonline in seconds. The students had access to the document “free” without the need for delays often created by subscriptions, log-in access, etc. Thus, from a practical perspective our Open Access journal disseminates peer-reviewed scientific knowledge quickly and easily, as per our mission. It is most certainly an objective for JEPonline to engage in the process to be listed with MEDLINE.

What’s the Reason for Page Charges?

To some it may seem strange to have a page charge for an online journal. However, the charge is not unique to JEPonline or to other scientific journals online. Also, the storage space for the journal is significant and funds are needed to acquire and maintain JEPonline. Recently, a paper copy of JEPonline was created in my office as a back-up. A single historical copy without page covers, advertising and so forth created a stack over 6 feet in height. In addition, as the flagship for ASEP (www.asep.org), JEPonline receives support and generates revenue to support the efforts of ASEP in regards to the professional development of exercise physiology. As mentioned earlier, the page charges and submission fee have had decreased submissions to the Journal. In fact, the regularity of publications, 6 issues per year during the past 3 years seems to have instilled confidence in the viability and credibility of our work, and JEPonline submissions are on the increase. Regularity of publication, without sacrificing quality has been a primary goal for JEPonline during my tenure as Editor-in-Chief. While this apparent influx is wonderful news, it has also created a few challenges.

So Where is MY Manuscript?

During a recent lecture I gave in endocrinology, I found myself thinking about the notion of “our office” as it relates to the JEPonline review process. Many of us are familiar with the regulation of hormonal glands upstream by the anterior pituitary gland and the hypothalamus. Examples include the HPA (hypothalamic pituitary adrenal) and HPG (hypothalamic pituitary gonadal) axes.

One of the aspects of these axes is the amplification of the physiological response through this multi-step process. In this analogy, the Editor-in-Chief is the hypothalamus, the Assistant employed to work for the EIC is anterior pituitary, and the work of JEPonline is amplified by the dedicated efforts of the reviewers. Most of the reviewers are academicians with responsibilities similar to authors who submit manuscripts to JEPonline. They answer to the tripatriate mission of academia: scholarship, service, and teaching. Many review for a number of other journals in the broad field of science and the specific field of exercise physiology. They are dedicated to their work, but must also answer to a host of individuals, such as Chairs, P&T committees, etc.

While JEPonline is supported by a small staff that works hard to maintain and improve the interaction between authors who submit their work and those who ultimately publish with JEPonline, the reviewers can at times become over burdened by our requests to review yet another manuscript. We empathize with the frustrations of authors regarding delays and communication issues from our office. Publications remain a vital part of the promotion and tenure process, as well as issues regarding grant funding.

A number of consistent themes have emerged that create delays. Frequently, JEPonline emails have been unanswered by authors and, apparently, in some cases, because the different email systems block the emails as spam,. These emails often explain errors in format that must be addressed prior to the review process as manuscripts are not sent out for review until they conform to the JEPonline submission guidelines.

Following submission of a manuscript my Assistant contacts potential reviewers to ascertain their availability. Depending upon the topic of the manuscript sufficient reviewers may or may not be immediately available. I have noticed trends in review cycles. Reviews can be slow to be returned near the end of academic terms, as well as during the summer when faculty may be away from their usual expectations at work. Similarly, submissions tend to be high in the early part of the Fall Semester as faculty return to work and press to get manuscripts submitted for review. My Assistant works diligently to keep reviewers on track, and for that matter to keep the whole process on track.

And, then, there are the delays upstream, which are primarily my responsibility. That is to say the hypothalamus in my example can be faulty. I have never been one to argue that my life’s affairs are more or less time consuming than others in terms of work, family, and the necessity for the physical activity we all know is essential to health and wellness. The sign “The Buck Stops Here” was on President Harry S. Truman’s desk in his While House office. As you would expect, I take full responsibility for many of the delays we experience. I undertook this job due to my passion for the unique nature of JEPonline, and in appreciation for those who have served as Editors before me.

Suggestions to Authors

Delays can often be avoided by adhering to our Submission Guidelines. Perhaps, the best way to do this is to download an article from the most recent issue as a template. Former Editor-in-Chief Robert Roberg’s frequently suggested this to me to hasten the publication process of accepted manuscripts during his tenure. Particular concerns include: (a) the basic format of the article; (b) format of tables; and (c) figures.

The number of tables and figures in a manuscript has a direct impact upon page charges. Therefore, authors should limit figures and tables to a reasonable number. I often find figures that have not been used in the manuscript’s narrative and/or redundancy in figures and tables. Check figures carefully, particularly the axes. The labels on axes should be consistent in format from one figure to the next, and the narrative explaining abbreviations should be in the figure legends

Carefully follow the table format, using the most recently published manuscripts as a visual guide to assist you. Many long nights have been spent rebuilding tables for authors prior to publication. Use the “±” directly from the insert symbol function in Microsoft Word and carefully center and align data. Be consistent with the number of decimal points used in a given column of data, and limit data in tables to the most pertinent information.

Please note that we correspond with one and only one author, identified as the “Corresponding Author.” On a number of occasions, we have received emails from an author that based upon our submission records we have no manuscript. Manuscripts are recorded by number and identified by a single Corresponding Author. Resources do not permit us to provide updates regarding the review process to multiple authors of a manuscript.

A sensitive subject is the use of language. The Internet and the Open Access format of JEPonline allows submissions and ultimately publications globally. It has long been known that the English language is difficult to master, and the use of the English language in scientific publications from the United States (U.S.) differs from other English speaking countries, let alone from countries with other languages. The review process of the quality of work is often hampered by awkward language in submissions from outside the U.S. It has often been my suggestion to foreign authors to consult with a person who is not only fluent in English, but preferably experienced with scientific writing using English. Often is the case where reviews are delayed and reviewers frustrated with the difficulty of reviewing the science when the writing is cumbersome.

The bottom line is this: Authors must take an active part in the formatting and editorial process. Gone are the days, and at JEPonline they never existed, where authors submitted a generic manuscript and the journal formatted the manuscript into galleys. Submit your manuscript essentially in a publication ready format to speed the process.

Goals for 2010

Our primary goal is to improve upon the consistency of publication in JEPonline, and to continue building our reputation as an Open Access journal disseminating the latest research in Exercise Physiology. We are dedicated to working with the authors who submit scientific publications to JEPonline. Thus, we look forward to working the authors’ issues and concerns throughout 2010 to facilitate publication.

Changes in 2010

In addition to my aforementioned New Year’s resolution to serve you better, JEPonline will use a more simplified alpha-numeric reference format in 2010. We will also be sorry to see my long-time Assistant, Ms Vystejnova, leave following completion of her doctoral degree in May of 2010. Her service to JEPonline has been tremendous. We will miss her diligence, attention to detail, patience, and gentle personality.

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed in JEPonline are those of the authors and are not attributable to JEPonline, the editorial staff or ASEP.