The JCEM in 2003—Looking Backwards and Forwards

John P. Bilezikian, M.D. Editor-in-Chief

With this issue, the JCEM begins its fourth year in the New York-based editorial office at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University. With hindsight and hopefully with some foresight, I would like to call your attention to points and perspectives as we begin the new year.

The Journal continues to attract original articles of exceptionally high quality. The distribution of endocrinological subcategories has been relatively constant over the past 3 years with Reproductive Endocrinology, Thyroid, Diabetes, Metabolism, Adrenal, Bone, Neuroendocrinology, Pediatric endocrinology, Molecular endocrinology, Oncology, Cardiovascular, and Obesity underscoring the premier position of JCEM as a repository of clinical endocrinology in its many different disciplinary configurations. I am relieved to report that during the past year, we finally saw a stabilization of what was an unprecedented period of growth. The number of papers submitted to JCEM did not change substantially over the past year. You will recall that in the previous 2-year period, the increase in submissions exceeded 20%. Papers continue to be received from all over the world with over 45 countries represented. The distribution of papers has not changed substantially with the United States heading the list (27%), followed by Italy (10%), Japan (9%), United Kingdom (8%), and Germany (7%). By region, papers from Europe constituted 49.3% of all manuscripts submitted, followed by North America (29.9%), Asia (13.9%) and "Other regions" (5.7%).

We have been able to keep the journal from growing larger, although we do recognize that it is still a big journal. Last year, we published virtually the same number of pages as we did the year before. Because the number of submissions has stabilized, we have been able to maintain the percentage acceptance rate at 32–33%, without any substantial change in the size of the journal. Virtually all papers that are eventually accepted by the JCEM are revised. In fact, the majority of papers are returned for a second revision. The peer review process is one of the major determinants of the quality of a journal, the other being the quality of the papers submitted to the Journal. In both respects, we are pleased with our product. Although the many papers that undergo a second revision adds to the length of time in review, few would doubt that those papers that are revised twice are not even better. Since the total time in review for a given paper is actually more determined by the time in the authors’ hands, not the time in the editorial office, or in review, we are now requesting that all papers for which we have invited a revised manuscript be resubmitted within 3 months of notification. In the case of papers that undergo a second revision, we are requesting a turnaround time of 2 months for receipt of the second revision. In exceptional circumstances, we will grant a reasonable extension to these time limits.

In 2002, the JCEM published a total of 784 original articles (including 38 Rapid Communications). In addition, 37 Letters to the Editor were published. There were 86 Special Features divided into the following categories: Editorials (37), Clinical Reviews (15), Hot Topics (2), Perspectives (2) Genetics of Endocrine Disease (6), Clinical Case Seminars (18), Extensive Personal Experience (2), Remembrance (1), and Consensus Statements (3). In general, Special Features are invited articles. They, too, undergo peer review. However, we do receive inquires from our readership about possible special feature articles they would like us to consider. We welcome your suggestions at all times. It is this section of the journal that gives a perspective to the field. We are committed to providing the readership with commentary on highly newsworthy original articles (editorials), as well as reviews and perspectives on the timely and hottest areas of our field. We trust that you have found that these special features are adding to the value of the JCEM.

Endocrine Care continues to be a popular special section of JCEM. Articles selected for this section of the JCEM are those the editors have deemed to be of exceptional interest to the practicing endocrinologist. On average, 20 Endocrine Care articles are published every month. Clinical Trials are published in the Endocrine Care section. We are pleased to note a virtual doubling of the number of clinical trials published in JCEM since 2000.

The theme of the 2003 Endocrine Society Meeting is Cardiovascular Endocrinology. In keeping with what has become a tradition, The Endocrine Society Journals typically highlight the June issue with special feature articles focused on the theme of the meeting. The JCEM has decided to concentrate on this theme for the entire year, not just the June issue. Accordingly, there will be at least 22 special feature articles that will appear on this subject during the course of the year. These special features will utilize a separate allocation of pages so as not to alter the current balance and representation of the other endocrinological fields.

I am pleased to note that the Publications Committee has decided that Book Reviews will once again appear in the journals of The Endocrine Society. A new mechanism is being developed by which the books to be reviewed will be identified and then apportioned to the individual journals in ways that are equitable and appropriate. The JCEM staff has valued the exceptional leadership Bill Rosner provided as head of the Publications Committee during his term of office, and welcomes Agnes Schonbrunn, the new head of the Publications Committee. The Endocrine Society is fortunate to have leaders of such vision, energy, and balance to oversee its journal operations.

It is clear that my job is made possible and pleasant by an exceptional group of talented and dedicated Associate Editors. To Andy Arnold, Beverly Biller, John Challis, David Cooper, Jeff Flier, Barry Goldstein, Janet Hall, Bob Kreisberg, Paul Ladenson, Sharon Oberfield (Deputy Editor), and Elizabeth Shane, "thank you" is not enough. We are all indebted to you for what you provide to the Journal and to The Endocrine Society literally every day as you carry out your responsibilities with care and with complete commitment.

A journal that occupies a premier position, as the JCEM does, will not work without a Managing Editor who has her finger on every pulse at all times. Patricia Meravy is that kind of Managing Editor. She oversees a busy and hardworking staff of editorial assistants to whom we are also grateful: Marta Muniz, Jeniffer Sanchez, Kim Richardson, and Ali Gailunas.

Finally, we thank members of our Editorial Board, who regularly review for the JCEM. We welcome our new members: Johan Auwerx, Vivien Bonert, Stefan Bornstein, Vivian Fonseca, Rhonda Kineman, Geralyn Messerlian, Karen Miller, Ann Oberg, Jay Skyler, Corinne Welt, Robert Wild, and William Young. The entire current roster of Editorial Board members is listed on the masthead of this issue. We also express our thanks to The Endocrine Society Members who review for the journal on an Ad Hoc basis. We acknowledge the growing list of other reviewers who are providing exceptional assistance in areas of endocrinology that are more interdisciplinary and, therefore, require a different kind of expertise. Last but not least, we thank you who read the journal and provide important feedback to us; and to you who submit your best work to us. These are the ingredients of success. We aim to keep it that way, so that you will continue to look forward eagerly to your issue every month, month after month after month.






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