ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
EDITORIAL
October 1959, Vol. 31, No. 10 APPLIED JOURNALS, ACS
Editor-Author-Reviewer Relationships
Director of Publicotions, C. B. Larmbee
Ediforiol Director, Walter J. Murphy Executive Editor, Jamer M. Crowe Production Monoger, Joreph H. Kuney ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY Editor, Lawrence 1. Hallett Managing Editor, Robert 0. Gibbs EDITORIAL HEADQUARTERS WASHINGTON 6, D. C. 1155 Sixteenth St., N.W. Phone REpublic 7-3337 Teletype WA 23 Associote Editors: G. Gladys Gordon, Stello Anderron, Katherine I. Biggr Assistont Edifors: Robert J. Riley, Robert 1. Kelley, Ruth M. Howorth, Eugenia KeC Ier, Sue M. Solliday, Malvina B. Preirr, Ruth Reynard EditoriolAssistants: Kotherine H.Ginnane, Virginia E. Stewart loyout ond Production: Melvin D. Buckner (Art); Betty V. Kieffer, Leroy 1. Corcomn, John V. Sinnett BRANCH EDITORIAL OFFICES CHICAGO 3, ILL. Room 926 36 South Wabarh Avo. Phone Slate 2-5148 Teletype CG 725 Associote Editors: Howard J. Sanders, Cherter Plocek Assisfont Editor: Jamer H. Krieger HOUSTON 2, TEX. 718 Melrare Bldg. Phone FAirfax 3-7107 Teletype HO 72 Associote Editor: Bruce F. Greok Assistont Editor: Earl V. Anderron NEW YORK 16, N. Y. 2 Park Avo. Phone ORegon 9-1646 Teletype NY 1-4726 Associote Editors: William Q. Hull, Harry Stenwran, David M. Kiefer, D. Gmy Weaver, Walter S. Fedor, Laurence J. White Assistant Editor: LOU18 A. Agnello SAN FRANCISCO 4, CALIF. 703 Mechanicr’ Inrtitute Bldg. 5 7 Port st. Phone EXbook 2-2895 Teletype SF 549 Associote Editor: Richard 0. Newhall Assistont Editor: Joreph Sturchlo EASTON, PA. 20)h and Northampton Sh. Phone Blackburn 8-91 11 Teletype ESTN Pa 7048 Associate Editor: Charlotte C. Sayre Assistant Editor: Joyce A. Richard8 Editorial Assistants: Elizabeth R. Rufe, Barbara A. Conover EUROPEAN OFFICE Bush Houre, Aldwych, London Cable JIECHEM Phone Temple Bar 3605 As~ocioteEditor: Albert 5. Chrter Contributing Editor: R. H. Miiller Advisory Boord: R. M. Archibald, W. H. Boomer, F. E. k m i r h , H. 0. b r r l d y , W. D. Cook., J. I. H o h a n , M. 1. Kelley, C. 1. Luke, W. M. MacNevin, W. J. Mader, John Mitchell, k., N. H. Nochtrleb, E. J. Rorenbaum, R. 0. Rurrell, F. H. %or8 Admriising Monagement REINHOLD PUBLIJHING CORP. (For Branch Offices see page 125 A)
fiee-pronged effort to speed up publicdon of scientific papers is bearing fruit
ow can we get prompt publication of papers? This perennial question is presented to the editors at scientific meetings, Advisory Board meetings, and in personal discussions. This question leads t o another: What is prompt publication? Using the review system, which has proved it5 merits over many years, a reasonable average time from receipt of a paper until its publication is 6 months. There are, of course. papers which can be handled more quickly and others which will take much longer. We are not a t the 6 months figure as yet but have made considerable progress in the past 15 months. Simply stated, prompt publication depends on close cooperation between the editors, authors, and reviewers. There are other factors also such as personnel and page budget limitations. Although more has yet to be done by the editors themselves, much progress has been made in streamlining operations. The editor, for example, is rejecting more manuscripts without outside review than ever before. These are papers which, in his opinion, are not suited in scope for ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, or are not up t o our standards. Another time-saving procedure is reducing the amount of correspondence with the reviewers and more extensive use of form letters. We have found that most reviewers do not expect detailed explanations of why their suggestions and criticism concerning a paper were or were not adopted. Time spent in writing hundreds of such letters each year, we feel, can be spent more profitably on getting papers ready for publication. Use of form letters does not indicate any lack of personal interest but is another time-saving step. The editors are also being much more specific in outlining t o tbe author the changes needed in the manuscript before it will be published. This includes specific comments concerning portions of the paper which can be condensed. W e could go on a t length concerning the procedures but these examples illustrate the point. We are indebted t o reviewers without whose services we could not publish the caliber of technical material our readers expect. The reviewer’s only compensation is a feeling of satisfaction that he has helped assure publication of worthwhile material. Reviewers can help speed up publication by adhering more closely t o deadlines. Generally we send papers to two reviewers. If one reviewer delays his review, the whole schedule is delayed. Reviewers who for some reason cannot handle papers within a specified time should return them. We do have a follow-up system to prod reviewers who are late but this is an extra, time-consuming chore. Very often delays in publication are due to the author himself. After receiving the reviewers’ comments, he may take an undue length of time to revise the paper. The editors stand willing to help the author in this regard. Today, the publication schedule of ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY compares favorably with other journals. With prompt handling of manuscripts by editors, reviewers, and authors, we can attain or better a goal of 6 months.
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