The Publication Process

1. The Publication Process Barbara Gastel, MD, MPH Professor, Texas A&M University Knowledge Community Editor, AuthorAID

2. Overview • Submitting the paper • Understanding the decision process • Revising a paper • Answering queries • Reviewing proofs

3. Submitting the Paper • Traditional submission (by mail) • Electronic submission • Inclusion of a cover letter (conventional or electronic)—see, for example, http://www.lwwonline.com/pt/re/lwwonline/coverChecklist.htm;jsessionid=JjPVKv4h9nGpyWB6fh6jY54JZ8wjzmh4nP5sjLvX2mYZkZThv5Ns!-858031623!181195628!8091!-1 • Completion of required forms

4. Some Categories of Editorsat Journals • Helpful to know because you might interact with each • Main categories: • Editor-in-chief • Managing editor • Manuscript editor

5. Initial Screening by the Journal • For appropriateness of subject matter • For compliance with instructions • For overall quality (sometimes)

6. Peer Review • Evaluation by experts in the field • Purposes: • To help the editor decide whether to publish the paper • To help the authors improve the paper, whether or not the journal accepts it • Some ways that peer reviewers are chosen • Advantages and limitations of peer review

7. Some QuestionsPeer Reviewers Address • Is the subject appropriate for the audience? • Does the research address an important question? • Is the research original? • Are the methods appropriate? • Are the conclusions consistent with the data? • Are the references to earlier work sufficient and relevant? • Is the paper well organized? • Is the paper clearly written?

8. Some Questions to Considerin Our Workgroups (and Later) • Does the manuscript contain everything it should? • Does it contain anything it shouldn’t? • Does all the information appear accurate? • Is the content consistent throughout? • Is everything logically organized? • Is everything clearly worded?

9. Questions (cont) • Are points stated briefly, simply, and directly? In other words, is everything concise? • Are grammar, spelling, punctuation, and word use correct throughout? • Are all figures and tables well designed? • Does the manuscript comply with the instructions?

10. The Editor’s Decision • Based on the peer reviewers’ advice, the editor’s own evaluation, the amount of space in the journal, other factors • Options: • Accept as is (rare) • Accept if suitably revised • Reconsider if revised • Reject

11. Revising a Paper • Revise and resubmit promptly. • Include a letter saying what revisions were made. If you received a list of requested revisions, address each in the letter. • If appropriate, point out the changes, for example by using Track Changes. • If you disagree with a requested revision, say why in your letter. Try to find a different way to solve the problem the editor or reviewer identified.

12. Answering Queries • Queries: questions from the manuscript editor • Some topics of queries: • Inconsistencies • Missing information • Ambiguities • Other • Advice: Respond promptly, politely, and completely yet concisely.

13. Reviewing Proofs • Proof: copy of typeset material to check • Some things to check: • Completeness (presence of all components) • Absence of typographical errors in text and references • Placement of figures and tables • Quality of reproduction of figures • Note: This is not the time to rewrite the paper.

14. A Final Step Celebrate Publication of Your Paper!