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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The following FAQs are included in the ASME Journal Tool:

  • What kind of content can I submit through the journal tool?
  • How do I submit my material?
  • How can I edit my paper?
  • How can I view my paper status?
  • How will I know my paper has been approved?
  • How can I view reviewer comments?
  • How do I submit a revised paper?
  • How do I submit my final paper and files?
  • How can I update my final paper information?
  • How can I withdraw my paper?
  • How can I re-instate my paper?
  • How can I contact an Editor or Associate Editor?
  • What formats are acceptable for the final paper?
  • How can I update my password and/or profile?
  • Why did my login session expire?
  • How do I identify my paper as a previously published conference paper?

In addition, the following FAQs are included here:

 

What is the difference between research papers, technical briefs, and innovation papers?

All paper categories undergo full peer review.
A research paper is a full-length, technically original research document that reports results of major and archival value to the specific community of engineers that comprise the journal audience (recommended length of 9000 words).
A technical brief reports results that are of significant and archival value to the engineering community, but with more limited scope and length than a research paper; it may contain a preliminary report of a result not yet fully developed or interpreted, or a commentary on a previous result (recommended length of 2500 words).
A design innovation paper presents scholarly innovation in design that has technological implications; the archival value of such papers is in the innovation part of a design and not necessarily in the theory (recommended length 6000 words). This type of paper is intended for outstanding work in mechanical design that is concept oriented and does not necessarily require detailed theoretical or experimental development and analysis. Actual impact on design practice and a working device are important considerations for acceptance. See the JMD April 2008 Editorial for some discussion.

 

What is the paper acceptance rate for the journal?

Since 2002 the overall paper acceptance rate (number of papers accepted or published to number of papers submitted) is about 30%

 

How long shall I wait for a decision on my paper?

You should first look at its status in the Journal Tool. Depending on what stage it is in, you can look at the estimated time periods in the review process [tab], and if the upper bounds are exceeded you can contact the associate editor or the technical editor.

 

What happens if my paper exceeds the page limits?

ASME imposes a 9-page limit and mandatory page charges are assessed for longer papers. Authors must consult with the editors about shortening the paper. The Technical Editor requires a pdf of the formatted paper prior to acceptance, so that lengths can be estimated prior to production and a resolution with the authors can be reached early. This ASME policy is currently under review.

 

Is English language quality in the text a consideration for publication?

It is a critical consideration. Poor language text will not be sent for review. Tentatively accepted papers must adhere to high quality language text standards prior to final acceptance. Professional editorial help may be necessary for final publication, as the JMD editorial staff cannot provide such a service.

 

Does a US-based author have a better chance of publishing in JMD?

Not directly. In fact a plurality of JMD papers comes from the international community. Indirectly, however, authors familiar and competent in the prevailing scholarly standards will have a much higher chance of publishing at JMD. Studying and referencing previous articles from JMD is very helpful in this respect. For more discussion on this topic see the JMD September 2008 Editorial: Globalization and Internationalism.

 

How do JMD (Journal of Mechanical Design) papers differ from papers in JMR (Journal of Mechanisms and Robotics)?

The new Journal of Mechanisms and Robotics (JMR) evolved in part from the JMD community, see the JMD January 2008 Editorial: A New Year, a New Editor, and a New Journal. In general, research work in mechanisms and robotics aimed at design synthesis would belong to JMD, while theoretical analysis work would fit better in JMR. The respective Technical Editors are re-routing submissions using this main criterion. For a commentary on analysis vs. synthesis, see the JMD March 2008 Editorial: Design analysis and synthesis.

 

Are design education papers acceptable for JMD?

Yes. There was a special issue published in July 2007 with an accompanying editorial explaining its rationale, see JMD July 2007 Editorial: Design engineering education. As of January 2009 there is a JMD Associate Editor appointed specifically for design education papers.

 

Should I suggest reviewers for my submission?

Yes. The Lead author is notified when the Technical Editor has assigned the paper to an Associate Editor (AE) to conduct the review. At that time the authors are encouraged to send to the AE a list of 2-5 names of suggested reviewers, who may or may not be asked to serve at the AE’s discretion.

 

When are experimental results important for design studies?

Building a device that demonstrates a theory is the essence of engineering. While this is often not practical for many design studies published in JMD, it is frequently a requirement for design innovation submissions or submissions detailing a device. In such cases, a “paper design study” without experimental data and testing to back it up is unlikely to be reviewed favorably.

 

How do I become a reviewer for the JMD?

If you have never submitted a paper to JMD, you must first create an account as corresponding author in the ASME online Journal Tool. In the corresponding author's profile that you are creating for yourself, there is a "biography field." You should place a text entry in that field starting by inserting keywords that most closely express your interests and expertise. (You can add some more bio information as you wish.) The reserved keywords you may use can be found conveniently in the asmejmd.org companion site. They can be also found in a pull down menu on the ASME journal tool, when you go to “Step 2: Submittal” of a paper submission process. These keywords are updated periodically, so you may wish to do the same for your profile. Once you have completed the profile process, your name is available for selection by an editor or associate editor. Please note that the database is specific for each journal and reviewers are not transferable to other ASME journals at this time; you make the journal selection when you create your author profile. As a registered author in the system, you should send an email to the JMD associate editors that most closely relate to your fields of expertise, visiting again the companion site - Editorial Board, and express your desire to serve and the areas you consider yourself an expert. You should copy your email to the technical editor (editor@asmejmd.org) and to the editor's assistant (assistant@asmejmd.org). At this point, any JMD editor can select you as a reviewer for a paper at hand and add you to the JMD reviewers database. This is done only once, and your name will appear in the reviewers list for use by any editor for any JMD submission.

 

How long shall I wait for a decision on my paper?

You should first look at its status in the Journal Tool. Depending on what stage it is in, you can look at the estimated time periods in the review process, and if the upper bounds are exceeded you can contact the associate editor or the technical editor.

 

How long after my paper is approved by the editor for production do I receive the proofs?

Proofs from jmd@aip.org are sent to the corresponding author 3-4 weeks after editor approval.

 

Can I submit a book or technology review?

Yes. JDM publishes reviews for recent books or software within the JDM topics of interest. The ASME official guidelines for these reviews are: "A book review is a brief, critical and unbiased evaluation of a current book determined to be of interest to the journal audience. A technology review is a brief, critical and unbiased evaluation of a current technology, application, or product determined to be of interest to the journal audience. Publication of a submitted book or technology review is at the discretion of the Editor. The suggested length for this type of submittal is 1 to 4 pages." (reference) Clearly, authors of such reviews must have no conflict of interest (e.g., financial or other vested interest in the book or product), to ascertain unbiased evaluation. The Editor will make a decision within 3-4 weeks, possibly after seeking advice from topical associate editors or other subject matter experts.

 

Can I request conduct of a book or technology review for JMD?

Not directly from the Editor. Publishers and vendors often request the JMD Editor to conduct or obtain reviews of their books or software products. They typically provide a free copy of the product. This is NOT an effective way to have such reviews conducted. Instead, if authors or their representatives wish a review to appear in JMD, they should directly locate members of the JMD community who are subject matter experts and request that they undertake and submit the review (without compensation). For information on submitting reviews, see the faq "Can I submit a book or technology review?"