abacus
New member
Posts: 18
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« on: November 21, 2006, 01:45:05 PM » |
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I have a paper which I had worked so long for one particular journal. Unfortunately, they decided to reject the paper. So, I am looking for the different journal. Is it a good idea to send an inquiry email to the editor of the potential journal asking if my paper would be suitable thus worthwhile submitting? Since I have worked on the article so long, I don’t want to waste too much time by submitting it to the journal that does not think the topic as relevant or suitable. What would you suggest? Thanks.
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busyslinky
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« Reply #1 on: November 21, 2006, 03:00:44 PM » |
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Different editors would give you different responses depending on the bureaucracy of the journal and the busy-ness of the editor.
But, I would recommend that you pass it by the editor and ask them their opinion. It will actually save you both some time.
Also, if the paper was rejected, you must have received some comments back. Address those comments first then shop your paper around. You may come across the same reviewers.
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Such a wonderful toy!
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placid_casual
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« Reply #2 on: November 22, 2006, 08:57:19 AM » |
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Maybe this is discipline specific, but that wouldn't fly from my point of view. If I were the journal editor, I would say "read our scope statement, if it falls within that, then submit it". If what you are really asking is will it be published, then as an editor I'd say "dunno, depends what the reviewers say". Peer review takes a long time and it is often "wasted" in that you don't get the right result, but I'm not sure there is an easy way to pre-empt the process by asking editors for summary decisions.
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prytania3
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« Reply #3 on: November 22, 2006, 09:05:50 AM » |
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I always associate queries with more commercial enterprises (re: essays/articles) or non-fiction books.
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Clowns, I tell you. Clowns.
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shamu
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« Reply #4 on: November 22, 2006, 01:14:53 PM » |
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I'm with placid_casual. Read the statement regarding the scope of the journal. If it's not posted, ask for it from the editor. If you choose to submit the MS and the editor does not think it is suitable for the journal, you'll hear from her/him soon (which is what s/he would be doing anyway if you just inquire without submitting). Actually, the editor can pretty much decide after reading the abstract whether or not the MS is suitable for the journal, so you're not really wasting anyone's time and turn-around is usually very quick if the MS does not fit.
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tenaciously
Junior member
Posts: 57
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« Reply #5 on: November 22, 2006, 01:39:38 PM » |
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One good strategy for deciding which journals are possibilities is to look at the works cited from the articles you have used in the paper. Which journals are publishing about this topic? Make a list, research the journals on the web, and make a list of those you think are a good fit.
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hum_postdoc
Junior member
Posts: 57
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« Reply #6 on: November 22, 2006, 03:55:54 PM » |
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I agree with much of what's been said. You can get a good sense of the journal's scope by perusing a few issues, and often, the journal will specify what kinds of articles it's interested in. Did you consult this before you'd submitted to the first journal?
I understand your frustration. If the problem was that your article was outside the journal's scope, then the journal did you a disservice by reviewing it. They should have recognized the problem before ever sending it to external reviewers and saved everyone a lot of time.
Others may disagree, but I don't think it hurts to send a brief email to the editor. Certainly don't send the whole article. Just know that if you're encouraged to send it, it's no guarantee of anything.
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shrek
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« Reply #7 on: November 23, 2006, 01:24:49 PM » |
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When I submit to a journal I've never submitted to before and which I don't read regularly or subscribe to, I will ask the editor. Usually I send a brief e-mail inquiry and include the abstract of the article. I may state why I think it might be suitable, and why I'm asking. For example, I did this a couple of years ago with an international journal. They routinely publish on (to borrow another posters analogy) pets, pet development, human-pet bonding, and cross-breeding. But, they've never published on runaway pets. It should fit, but it's not clear since runaway pets is typically seen as a separate field. So, I asked and the editor said, "yes, it would be very welcome-- of course it needs to be peer reviewed, etc. etc." (end of story-- I'm currently making final revisions in response to the generally positive reviews).
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science_expat
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« Reply #8 on: November 24, 2006, 03:36:29 PM » |
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I'm with placid_casual.
Me too. |
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It's not procrastination. It's "just in time" delivery.
Nutso is the new normal.
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tyy_rad_sci
A currently inactive
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 1,066
Med school guy
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« Reply #9 on: December 01, 2006, 10:44:01 PM » |
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Absolutely!
But...only ask if the topic is suitable. Only peer review can settle quality issues.
- TYY
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Angels caged in what I see, externity in guaged antiphony
- R. Johnson
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