This month, the International Journal of Experimental Pathology takes the next step and launches an online submission and peer review system using Manuscript Central™ software at http://ijep.manuscriptcentral.com. Currently, the time between submission of papers and their rejection or acceptance runs between 52 and 90 days, respectively. It is hoped that Manuscript Central™ can speed this up and refine the review process even more. A significant proportion of the period between submission and the final decision by the editors can be attributed to papers in transit between the Editorial Office, referees and authors. Manuscript Central™ will accelerate the review process by cutting out these delays.
What does electronic submission involve and what are its benefits to authors? The vast majority of papers are now written on a word processor, and most figures are created electronically. The system allows authors to load their papers directly onto the Manuscript Central™ website in a variety of formats. The vagaries of the various national and international postal services will be a thing of the past. Immediately on submission, authors will receive an acknowledgement and manuscript number by e-mail. Subsequent transfer of papers between the Editorial Office, referees and back to Authors will be entirely electronic and thus instantaneous. In addition, the whole peer review process is designed to be transparent. Authors will be able to log on to the Manuscript Central™ website and monitor the progress of their submitted paper. They will be able to respond to referees' and editorial comments, resubmit revised manuscripts and track their progress (all online). Access is 24 h a day and 7 days a week.
We do realize that some authors will not be quite so enthusiastic about this initiative. If authors cannot or do not wish to submit their paper electronically, the Journal will accept hard copy in the normal way. Papers will then be scanned into the system and processed through Manuscript Central™.
How will the new system affect referees? Recently, we have begun to confirm individual referee's availability by e-mail. Those who agree to review a paper will now be asked to visit the Manuscript Central™ website and download it for viewing on screen or printing. Comments (which can be cut and pasted from any word processor) and recommendations are submitted online and become immediately available to the editors or executive editors for their consideration. Referees who do not wish to use this system at present can request a printed copy and review the paper in the normal way.
Despite some anticipated teething troubles, we firmly believe that electronic submission and peer review will increase the speed of publication and enhance the quality of the International Journal of Experimental Pathology. Thus, we encourage all authors and referees to make use of Manuscript Central™, even those whose use of computers and the internet has yet to prove a positive experience. Full instructions for manuscript submission are available on the website at http://ijep.manuscriptcentral.com.