Hi, Sarah,
The experience you report has greater value than that of
entertainment, because it raises some issues for further discussion.
1. The academic/scientific publishing process does not follow the familiar
rules of a for-profit business. Imaging walking into a bank to make a
withdrawal or deposit and being told, "Sorry, we're pretty busy right now.
Why not try us in a few days?"
2. On the other hand, the journal acted responsibly in not merely sitting on
the submission. This leaves the author the option of seeking publication
elsewhere. This "elsewhere" might be a less appropriate or less prestigious
journal, but if enough of this sort of thing occurs, appropriateness and
prestige can shift.
3. The potential reviewers in this case performed conscientiously, if not
very usefully. It probably often happens that reviewers take on reviews
that they are really too busy for, and as a result do sloppy review work.
This seems like the very situation where reviewers might go with their gut
reactions (i.e., go with their biases) rather taking the time for the mental
discipline of really thinking things through, of responding to little
niggling doubts that, if explored, might reveal possibilities for new
understanding latent the author's work.
4. Perhaps this journal should increase its stable of reviewers. Maybe it
is/was relying too heavily on the same bunch of people. Resolving this
problem might also get some new blood and new thinking into the system and
loosen up the old-boys network, if such is operative.
Any thoughts?
Martin M. Meiss
2009/7/13 Sarah Goslee <[email protected]>
> Just for entertainment value, here is a message I received a few weeks ago
> from a major ecology journal at a major publisher (names removed, as the
> matter was resolved). If it is the case that this kind of thing can actually
> happen, something needs to change.
>
> --
>
> Dear AUTHOR,
>
> I trust you are doing well.
>
> As you will notice, there are no reviewers assigned to your paper as of
> this date. We tried our best to speed up the review process by sending
> reminders and follow-up emails to referees. Regrettably, most of them are
> too busy to handle your paper at this time.
>
> In light of this, we would like to advise you to withdraw your paper.
> However, we also leave you to re-submit if you wish to do so.
>
> We would appreciate if you could let us know your decision within 14 days.
>
> Thank you very much for your prompt response on this matter.
>
> --
>
> The first question asked by all of the colleagues I discussed it with was
> whether this was really from the journal. It is a legitimate email.
>
> Interesting, no?
>
> Sarah
>
> --
> Dr. Sarah Goslee
> USDA-ARS Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Research Unit
> Adjunct Associate Professor, Crop and Soil Sciences Department
> Penn State
> Building 3702, Curtin Road
> University Park, PA 16802
> Phone: 814-863-0887
> Fax: 814-863-0935
> [email protected]
>
