Sometimes, Bigger Is Better

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

With this issue of the JCEM, the New York-based editorial office approaches a half-way point as we enter our third year of service to our readers and to the Society. It is fitting to reflect on the past with a view toward the future.

The Journal continues to attract exceedingly high-quality, original research in clinical endocrinology. The volume of manuscripts we are receiving is truly unprecedented. For every quarter, since January 2000, we have received more manuscripts than the quarter before. The increase in quarterly submissions, comparing the first quarter of 2000 with the third quarter of 2001, is a remarkable 44%. For the current entire calendar year, we will have received for review approximately 25% more manuscripts than the year before. The increase in submissions comes from all over the world, with more than 45 countries represented. The United States led the list with 27% of all submissions. Italy (11%), United Kingdom (9%), Japan (8%), Germany (7%), France (5%), and The Netherlands (4%) were also well represented. By region, papers from Europe constituted 51% of all manuscripts, followed by North America (30%), Asia (11%), and other regions (7%). This breakdown is essentially unchanged from the figures for 2000.

The increase in manuscript submission rate has placed certain challenges for our staff and policies. Recognizing that the quality of papers is as high, if not higher, than ever, we were granted permission to publish 750 more pages in the JCEM this year. The increase in numbers of pages has allowed us to keep our acceptance rate at approximately 35%. Some of you have complained that the JCEM is developing itself an endocrine disorder, namely obesity! But, in the interest of publishing the very best in our field, we have opted to allow the JCEM to increase in size, recognizing the downside of the sheer weight of the Journal. Access to published articles on line, of course, can reduce the burden of carrying the JCEM from place to place. Despite the increase in page allocation, the JCEM continues to struggle with the need to reject many more papers than it can accept. The decisions in many cases are difficult because often a paper is rejected not because it is "fatally flawed" or because it cannot be revised satisfactorily, but simply because it did not achieve the priority needed for acceptance or even for revision. The fact that reviews that are returned to the authors of rejected manuscripts may not contain substantial criticism invites questions as to why the paper was not accepted. In these cases, it is simply a matter of priority and the space constraints within which we must operate. This continues to be a source of frustration to some of you, as it is for us, but I see no other alternatives at this point. Another source of frustration is a situation in which a manuscript has been revised but ultimately is not accepted. The invitation to submit a revised manuscript is not tantamount to provisional acceptance. In most cases, the revised manuscript is reviewed by one or more of the original reviewers. Review of the revised manuscript is not a cursory one but rather is directed toward ensuring that the critique has been satisfactorily addressed. When the paper has not been revised to meet the concerns of the reviewers, we are left with no choice but to reject the manuscript. At times, we will ask for yet another revision if the lingering concerns are minor in nature.

The increase in volume of manuscripts has led to the need to increase the size of the Editorial Board. Recognizing this need, the Publications Committee authorized us to increase the number of Editorial Board members from 115 to 150. The composition of the Editorial Board for 2002 is listed on the masthead page of this issue. A larger Editorial Board will balance more evenly the number of reviews conducted by our Board members with those who regularly provide ad hoc reviews. In line with the greater demands being placed on the Associate Editors also, we are delighted to announce that John Challis has joined us as an Associate Editor. Dr. Challis is Professor, Departments of Physiology and Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, and Scientific Director, Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health.

In 2001, the Journal published a number of Special Features: 30 Editorials; 17 Clinical Reviews, 5 Hot Topics, 3 Genetics of Endocrine Disease, 19 Clinical Case Seminars, 11 Commentaries, 2 Consensus Reports, 5 Clinical Perspectives, 2 Extensive Personal Experiences, 1 Workshop Summary, and 1 Special Report. There were also 67 Letters to the Editor, 26 Rapid Communications, and 2 Book Reviews. Except for Clinical Case Seminars, Special Features are generally invited by the Associate Editors and me, but anyone is welcome to inquire about our interest in considering a Special Feature article. Special Features continue to be prominently listed as lead articles at the beginning of every issue. They are color-coded in blue. The only other listing of the Table of Contents that is also highlighted by blue print is Endocrine Care, a new feature of the JCEM. Endocrine Care publishes original articles that may influence the practice of Endocrinology as it relates to diagnostics, therapeutics, or other informational aspects of Endocrine Practice. They are, therefore, of particular interest to our readership that is regularly engaged in practice for whom the latest information of relevance to their practices is conveniently located in one section of the JCEM. Clinical trials, for example, will regularly be found in this section. The assignment of these papers to this section is made only after acceptance of the original article. We are pleased with the positive feedback so far on this new initiative.

I am thankful to be working with an exceptionally talented and dedicated group of Associate Editors who work tirelessly to oversee the peer-review process. Special thanks to Drs. 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. They are providing exceptionally outstanding service to our authors, the Journal, and to The Endocrine Society. Together, we want to thank our Editorial Board members who regularly review for the Journal, as well as the many others whom we call on frequently during the year. The peer review system does not work without you. Not least, we want to thank you for submitting your best research in Clinical Endocrinology to the JCEM. After all, it is the quality of the papers published in the JCEM that is in large measure the reason why the JCEM is respected as the premier Journal of its kind in the world.

A journal the size and scope of the JCEM requires exceptionally fine administrative leadership. Ms. Patricia Meravy, Managing Editor, oversees a busy and hard-working staff. Her dedication, expertise, good sense, availability to all needs of the JCEM, and her absolute reliability are some of the reasons why the JCEM functions as effectively as it does. Editorial assistants Marta Muniz, Jeniffer Sanchez, and Elena Vascak form an effective team, working smoothly together as they did during our first year of operation.

We will continue to do our best to bring to you every month the very best research and perspectives in Clinical Endocrinology. Many of you have commented to me that we are achieving our goal to make the JCEM mandatory monthly reading. A reader told me recently that if his Journal arrives a day or two late, he begins to worry! We remain committed to making the Journal as strong as it can possibly be and, with your help, we will achieve our goal.






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