Effects of the direct rejection policy adopted for a broad-based chemistry journal on the final outcome
Denise Parent, Managing Editor; New Journal of Chemistry, Université Montpellier 2, place E Bataillon, CC 17007, 34095 Montpellier cedex 5, France.
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This poster presents the effect of the level of direct rejection (without peer review) and who carries it out, on the overall rejection rate of submitted manuscripts over a period of 3 years. The evaluated papers were submitted to New Journal of Chemistry between 2010 and 2012. Direct rejection was carried out during different time periods by the associate editors or the managing editor, applying two levels (strict or lenient) of pre-screening. More than 3000 manuscripts were followed through to the final editorial decision. While the direct rejection rate varied from 25% to 42% the overall rejection rate stayed approximately constant, with the peer review rejection rate increasing inversely as the direct rejection rate decreased. Thus, to maintain the quality of the journal as perceived by the reviewers, it is probably better to reject manuscripts that appear to be of borderline quality or not fully in accord with the journal’s editorial policy. In addition, the eventual fate of manuscripts submitted in 2010 and the first half of 2011 was determined and analyzed.