Finding our niche

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By the time you read this editorial, nine issues of the journal have been published under my watch. Certainly this has been a learning experience for me and has caused me to reflect on the good and the bad. In the next month, we will be announcing some major changes to the cover of the journal as well as the format. I will make more specific announcements regarding this in the next issue. We will also be adding new Advisory Board members and making changes to the Editorial Board. Much of my summer has been spent going to several meetings, not only to listen to the science but also to talk to potential authors. I think it is important to gain feedback from potential authors as to the pros and cons of publishing in JEVS. Obviously I am biased, but still think there are more pros than cons.

JEVS articles are peer reviewed by two and sometimes three reviewers. We have had 70 articles submitted to the journal since taking over in January 2006. The rejection rate is approximately 40%, which indicates that there is fairly rigorous review process. Another pro of publishing in JEVS is the relatively short interval from submission to publication of about 6 months. Currently our goals are to publish original research articles that are of clinical interest, as well as case reports and review articles. We certainly would invite any contributions to these sections, particularly reviews on timely subjects.

At one meeting a prominent scientist suggested that every journal should find a niche. I plan to use the Advisory Board more in the future to help shape the direction of the journal. I certainly agree with the scientists and have been thinking about what niche the journal should fill in the future. If you have any suggestions or comments, please do not hesitate to email them to me.

Some have been concerned that JEVS is not listed on PubMed. I share that concern and am working toward getting the journal included in that online service. It is almost a Catch 22 situation where it takes time to establish a reputation of publishing high quality manuscripts that are peer reviewed. I have no doubt that, in the future, JEVS will reach a point of being listed on PubMed. Others have asked about the accessibility of JEVS online. Individuals affiliated with academic institutions should have full access to JEVS through ScienceDirect.

It seems as though everyone I talk to indicates that they have one or two manuscripts that they will be submitting to JEVS. I look forward to receiving these and future submissions.