EDITORS’ VIEW

Finding & retaining reviewers
On several occasions, I have spoken with journal editors about the process of peer review. For some, it is a pleasurable opportunity to interact within their network. But for others, it is a chore, and a dispiriting chore at that. So, what is the trick to finding and retaining good reviewers?

SUPPORTING EDITORS

Targeting Relevant Reviewers
Among their many responsibilities, editors say that finding & retaining qualified reviewers is one of the most challenging. We spoke to Egbert van Wezenbeek, Director Publication Process Development, about how Elsevier is helping, and what improvements are expected in the future.

SUPPORTING REVIEWERS

Reviewing the review process
Editors understand that attracting and retaining the best reviewers is based, in part, on how reviewers feel about the experience. But what do reviewers want and expect, and how do they really feel about reviewing? We ask Adrian Mulligan, Associate Director of Research & Academic Relations, and Laura Hassink, VP Strategy and Journal Services, about Elsevier’s Reviewer Feedback Program.

STRATEGIES & POLICIES

Rewarding performance
In recent years, research has been increasingly measured based on bibliometric indicators, such as the Impact Factor. Now, in the midst of global recession, those holding the purse strings are looking for strategic investments, and funding is increasingly being awarded based on similar performance indicators.

Sense about Science survey asks scientists about peer review
What is the future of peer review? What does it do for science and what does the scientific community want it to do? Should it detect fraud and misconduct? Does it illuminate good ideas or shut them down? And why are all these questions important not just to journal editors, but to the public? A new study, to be released at the British Science Festival 2009, is about to tell us.

ONLINE PUBLISHING

Did You Know? EES can help in review process
Peer review is a core part of the scientific publishing process. But what if there is a shortage of qualified reviewers? Scott Shookhoff discusses some ways that EES can help.

Scopus: Reaching out to reviewers
Editors use Scopus to search for author information and to gain insight into all of a scientist’s relevant publishing activities. But did you know that this comprehensive tool also offers assistance with the search for reviewers? We spoke with Fabian Kersten and Ulrika Honée-Nordlof, both Solutions Marketing Managers for Scopus, to find out more about how Scopus can help.

WHAT YOU SAID
Some feedback and responses to comments from our Editors’ Update readership survey.