Guidelines And Advice For Successful Publication Provided By Journal Editors

Abstract

Journal publication is an important indicator of research productivity for individual researchers, as well as academic institutions.  However, for novice faculty members, the publication process can appear equivocal and daunting.  If the academic does not actively engage themselves early in this process, then her or his career becomes an uphill (and sometimes insurmountable) battle.  To assist the young academic, this study, sponsored by the National Science Foundation ADVANCE program, surveys journal editors representing numerous engineering fields.  A 19-question web survey was e-mailed to 121 journal editors representing numerous engineering fields.  Utilizing the ISI journal citation reports service, journal editors spanning aerospace, chemical, civil, environmental, industrial, and mechanical engineering disciplines were selected for initial contact.  Of the 121 editors contacted, 40 usable responses (or a response rate of 33%) were aggregated for this study.  The survey responses were used to quantify publication timelines and acceptance rates and ascertain journal policies, advice for successful publishing, and gender differences.