The EMBO Journal in numbers — 2007
- Average time taken
- Acceptance/rejection rates:
- Re-submissions
- Rebuttal rates (appeals to decision made)
The EMBO Journal received 3185 new submissions in 2007.
The general flow and handling of manuscripts is essentially as described in the 2005 editorial (Rørth, 2005), including continued active and productive interactions with our Advisory Editorial Board (AEB). Efficient processing involves careful scrutiny and close assessment of each manuscript as soon as possible after its submission. The editors carefully read each paper in full, make a check of background literature, and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the work with the other members of the editorial team. This process results in an initial decision either to reject editorially, to seek advice from the Advisory Editorial Board, or to proceed with a full in-depth review. Rejections are usually explained in detailed decision letters. To avoid backlogs, the Executive Editor steps in at times of high submissions and performs a similar initial evaluation. Manuscripts sent out for peer-review are normally seen by three referees, although two-four referees may also be used in some instances. In cases where the decision is not straightforward, the editors involve the Executive Editor, the Advisory Editorial Board or may have some of the referees comment on each other's reports. When we ask for a revision, we normally grant three months to carry out the requested revisions, but this can be extended if needed. Our general policy is to allow one round of revision only, but we will consider a second round of revision in cases where there are relative minor issues that still need to be resolved.
Average time taken
Top of pageFrom submission to decision without review: 4 days
From submission to decision with full review 29 days
Revision duration (from decision to submission of revision): 67 days
The average revision time of 67 days suggests that most of the requested revisions are achievable within the granted three months. 41& of revised manuscripts went through a second round of revision that on average took 35 days.
For accepted manuscripts:
From acceptance to Advance Online Publication (AOP): 21 days
From acceptance to print: 54 days
Acceptance/rejection rates:
Top of pageEditorial rejections (% of total submitted manuscripts)
Overall Rate: 74%
- By Executive Editor: 16%
- By editorial team with AEB advice: 10%
- By editorial team without AEB advice: 48%
Rejection rate after review: 26% of the total manuscripts received were sent out for full review; of these 61% were rejected and 39% were asked to be revised.
Rejection after revision (% of revised manuscripts): 3%
Overall acceptance rate (% of total submitted manuscripts): 10%
An overall acceptance rate of 10% may seem very low, but this might reflect that many submitting authors may not be fully aware of the expectations and standards of the journal (see also related document on the fate of rejected manuscripts). On average we receive — perhaps not surprisingly — more appropriate submissions from authors who are familiar with the standards of The EMBO Journal, for example those who have been referees for the journal. The overall acceptance rate for manuscripts from this group is much higher — namely 26%.
Re-submissions
Top of pageWe generally do not consider uninvited re-submissions of previously rejected manuscripts. We will occasionally invite re-submissions if there is a strong interest in the study, but the analysis is considered too preliminary for publication in The EMBO Journal at time of evaluation. In such cases, we specifically inform the authors at the time of rejection that we are willing to look at a re-submission. A re-submission is considered as a new submission and is not the same as a revision. The editorial team will evaluate the re-submission anew and will consider the novelty with respect to the literature, the significance of the advance reported at the time of re-submission and if sent out for full review, new referees might be involved.
In 2007 the acceptance rate of re-submissions were 33% in contrast to 97% for revisions, reflecting that these are two different kinds of decisions.
Rebuttal rates (appeals to decision made)
Top of pageRebuttals are received at different stages in the process. The editorial team carefully evaluates each rebuttal and further advice from the Executive Editor, AEB or referees may be sought.
The rebuttal rate on manuscripts rejected without review was 4%, while the rebuttal rate on manuscripts rejected after review was 8%. For rebuttals received on manuscripts rejected editorially, 18% were sent out for full review and of these 7% were accepted (seven manuscripts). For rebuttals received on manuscripts rejected after review, 5% lead to final acceptance (two manuscripts).
Reference:
Rørth P (2005) Authors, reviewers and editors at The EMBO Journal. EMBO J. 24: 3831–3833 | Article |
