4/1/2009 Authors: Panos Y. Papalambros
Volume: 131(4) – April, 2009
All scholars know that preparing the manuscript of new research work for scholarly publication is a lot of work. Shepherding a submitted manuscript to its eventual publication among meritorious peers in JMD is also a lot of work. This shepherding, formally referred to as the publication process, happens only because of the untiring volunteer efforts of the JMD Editorial Board. The Board consists of the (Technical) Editor and Associate Editors. The Editor serves for five years, and the Associate Editors for three years with the possibility for one time renewal. All appointments must be approved by the ASME Design Engineering Executive Committee and the ASME Publications Committee.
The JMD publication process follows closely the society guidelines of ASME, summarized here.
Overview of the Process
1. A manuscript or other work is submitted to the journal.
2. The Editor reads the work and determines if it is appropriate and worthy of review.
3. The Editor assigns the work to an Associate Editor, who oversees the review process.
4. The Associate Editor assigns the work to qualified reviewers.
5. The work is reviewed in accordance with ASME standards and requirements.
6. Based on the reviews, the Associate Editor makes a recommendation to the Editor, who makes the final determination of acceptance or rejection.
7. Accepted works are processed for publication; rejected works are returned to the authors.
The primary responsibility of the Editor is to oversee the technical content and operation of the journal.
In overseeing the technical content, the Editor is responsible to:
• Determine acceptance or rejection of all materials considered for publication.
• Manage the Associate Editors and oversee their roles and responsibilities in coordinating the review process.
• Maintain commitment to standards of high quality.
• Enroll and maintain qualified reviewers to consistently contribute and support the journal by judging the technical merit of potential material.
• Maintain the health of the journal and inspire new growth.
• Maintain technical currency in the overall journal subject matter.
In overseeing the operation of the journal, the Editor is responsible to:
• Encourage and support the Associate Editors.
• Nominate potential Associate Editors to the Publications Committee for approval.
• Cooperate with the ASME Technical Publishing Department staff to ensure timely publication of journal issues and implementation of state-of-the-art technologies in the production process.
• Stay current with publishing technologies to assist and support authors, Associate Editors, and reviewers.
• Oversee the management of the editorial office and related journal administrative functions.
• Participate in meetings and activities of the Board of Editors.
The primary responsibility of the Associate Editor is to oversee the peer review process of the technical works assigned. Associate Editors are responsible to:
• Enroll and maintain qualified reviewers to consistently contribute and support the journal by judging the technical merit of potential material.
• Ensure the review is completed in a timely manner and in accordance with Society policy and standards.
• Recommend acceptance or rejection of all materials considered for publication to the journal Editor.
• Maintain active communication with authors and reviewers during the peer review process.
• Ensure authors address review comments and prepare/complete their work in accordance with Society guidelines and standards.
• Maintain commitment to standards of high quality.
• Assist and support the Editor in maintaining the health of the journal and inspiring new growth.
• Maintain technical currency in the overall journal subject matter and in a personal specialty area.
• Stay current with publishing technologies to assist and support authors.
• Cooperate with the ASME Technical Publishing Department staff to ensure timely publication of journal issues and implementation of state-of-the-art technologies in the production process.
As a design educator, I am fond of checklists. It is the simplest way to get you to think in a focused way without limiting you. The checklists above provide daily guidance to all of us on the JMD Editorial Board, as we strive to serve our community. The list below provide you the names and short biographies of the current members of the JMD Editorial Board, and two associate editors who just completed their second term of service: Shapour Azarm and Larry Howell. You can follow editorial board composition changes in www.asmejmd.org.
On behalf of our community, I would like to thank all of our associate editors, past, present and future, for their selfless, competent service.
