Editor's Pages
Why PCMR?
As incoming Editor-in-Chief for Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research I am often asked - “why should I publish in PCMR?”
This goes back to the basic question of – What are the criteria that determine which journal we will choose to submit our manuscript for publication?
The criteria are clear, at least to most of us – more or less in the following order
a. Reputation, impact factor (IF)–the higher the better
b. Readership, who and how many will read your publication
c. Fairness of the review process
d. Efficiency in handling manuscripts
e. Speed of publication
Obviously there are more factors each of us can add, but primarily the above five are the major ones we all consider. Here I would like to address each of the above points and explain why PCMR should be considered for your primary publication.
a. Reputation, impact factor. Obviously, PCMR does not compete with top-tier journals, Cell, Nature, Science and their family members. So, when you think you have a study ready to go for any of these journals, go for it. This is likely to be also true for journals that can achieve an IF of 8 or above. But then, why should one consider PCMR over more general mid-range journals? The answer to this is rather simple. In part it has to do with fairness of review and efficiency of handling your submission (see below).
b. Readability. As PCMR is affiliated with the IFPCS and the SMR Societies, it is available to each of over 900 members who have free online access to the journal. Further, PCMR is published by Wiley-Blackwell and is part of their online collections, which makes it available in over 6000 institutions worldwide through Wiley. In addition, PCMR provides free access to all reviews as well as to selected highlights in each issue.
c. Fairness of the review process. To many of us this is a major issue in selecting a journal for publication. Was the selection of reviewers appropriate? Were the reviews fair? Was the Editor able to make a balanced decision? Were the comments constructive and did the outcome of a revision provide a more compelling study?
The process at PCMR is handled by scientists who were chosen by their peers for this mission. All of the members of the editorial board are scientists – like you – who are devoting most of their time to doing research in their laboratories. Hence, the key principle for our review process is scientific excellence. We handle your manuscript as we wish to see our own manuscripts handled. The EiC is assisted by two Executive Editors and selects reviewers who are most knowledgeable about the research being considered. In 95% of the cases I have handled since I assumed this responsibility (June 2009) both reviewers made the same recommendation, testifying to the success of the process. In the remaining 5%, additional reviewers were selected and the Editors themselves reviewed the debated manuscript.
One often asks, what fraction of manuscripts submitted are accepted and how many are required to undergo revision? Over the past 12 months, about 35% of the submitted manuscripts were accepted; of those, 98% needed revisions. Are the revisions required excessive? We think they are fair and will result in stronger manuscripts that will be better appreciated by the scientific community. We strongly believe that the authors appreciate the constructive peer-review since more than 95% of the manuscripts that need to undergo revision are returned to the journal and eventually published.
d. Efficiency. How long do you need to wait to hear about the editorial decision? Reviewers are asked to provide their evaluation within 10-14 days and an editorial decision is made within 1-2 days. Currently, the first editorial decisions are made between 1 to 21 days from submission. Decisions on revisions may be faster.
e. Speed of publication. Once the manuscript is accepted, it will be online within 48-72 hrs (and thus citable), and indexed in MEDLINE (PubMed) within 96 hours or less. This means that your findings will be seen by the community faster than one can accomplish in most journals.
In sum, the PCMR has been constantly rising in its quality, as reflected in its impact factor; I expect this trajectory to continue, bringing PCMR into the neighborhood of many of the high profile journals. Take this into consideration, as well as the fact that your paper will be subjected to a fair and efficient review and will be widely seen and read by your peers.
Ze’ev Ronai, EiC, for the Editorial team
