Rosenbloom, David H. and Melvin J. Dubnick, “Editing the Policy Studies Journal and Public Administration Review.” In EDITORS AS GATE KEEPERS: GETTING PUBLISHED IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES, edited by R. J. Simon and J. J. Fyfe. Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield, 1994: 45-57.
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This document discusses the editors’ experiences managing two academic journals, focusing on editorial processes, challenges, and strategies.
Editorial Roles and Responsibilities
- Editors actively select and review manuscripts to shape the journal’s content and influence the field.
- They emphasize maintaining high-quality, coherent, and relevant publications across diverse public administration topics.
- Editors work closely with authors, reviewers, and sponsoring organizations to ensure rigorous review and timely publication.
- They also handle editorial board selection, manage review processes, and oversee revisions to improve manuscripts.
Journal Transition and Production Processes
- Transitioning between editors involved establishing new review systems, backlog management, and adapting to technological changes.
- PSJ faced challenges with manual typesetting and convoluted production, leading to delays.
- PAR benefits from computerized tracking, professional copyediting, and streamlined workflows, ensuring punctual publication.
- Both journals require detailed proofreading, formatting, and coordination with printers, demanding significant time and effort.
Gatekeeping and Content Selection
- Editors aim to influence the field by promoting coherence, conceptual frameworks, and intellectual history.
- They prioritize articles that integrate research, theory, and practice, and encourage unconventional ideas.
- The review process involves multiple reviewers, detailed evaluations, and often extensive revisions.
- Editors balance academic rigor with practical relevance, striving to publish diverse methodologies and international perspectives.
Challenges with Authors, Reviewers, and Sponsoring Organizations
- Managing author expectations, rejection reasons, and revision requests requires tact and clear communication.
- Reviewers sometimes request unnecessary information or delay responses, complicating the process.
- Dealing with sponsoring organizations like PSO and ASPA involves navigating funding, symposium coordination, and organizational support.
- Maintaining good relationships with organizations is crucial for smooth operations and resource support.
Publication and Production Details
- PAR uses professional copyediting, disk submissions, and precise proofreading to ensure quality.
- The publication schedule is tight, with efforts to avoid delays and errors.
- Cover design and mailing procedures impact reader engagement and environmental considerations.
- The production process is labor-intensive, requiring meticulous attention to detail at every stage.