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In the October 1996 column an invitation to submit manuscripts for consideration was extended to you, the reader. Peer review is a significant factor in ensuring that Journal of Chemical Education articles are accurate, timely, and reliable. A respected peer review process is the hallmark of all thorough scholarly journals and to have a manuscript accepted for publication is justifiably a source of professional satisfaction to the author. To the first-time author, however, the process can be confusing and sometimes discouraging if it is not well understood. The purpose of this brief discussion is to emphasize the positive aspects and suggest how to benefit from the process.
Begin the peer review process informally, before submitting the manuscript, by asking colleagues to read it critically and suggest changes that will improve clarity and accuracy. Also, read carefully "A Guide to Submissions" (1996, 73, 1006, or online at http://jchemed.chem.wisc.edu/Journal/Authors/) so that you will know specifically what to submit. Send the manuscript and accompanying items to the editorial offices in Madison and indicate that it is intended for the High School Section. Your manuscript will be sent to a minimum of three reviewers. When the reviews have been completed, a decision will be made by the High School Editor or by a Feature Editor regarding the next step. One possibility is that the manuscript is recommended for publication without changes. In peer-reviewed journals this is an extremely rare occurrence.
Typically the author is asked to revise the manuscript. It is very important to not give up at this point. Experienced authors who have published many articles expect to be asked to make revisions on every manuscript submitted. The best course of action is to make revisions as quickly as possible and return the manuscript to the editor. If extensive changes are necessary a second round of reviews may be required. When the high school or feature editor is satisfied with the revisions, a recommendation to publish is made. The actual decision to publish is made by the Editor of the Journal. A relatively new possibility is a recommendation to transfer the manuscript to JCE Internet or JCE Software.
If the manuscript is not recommended for publication the author should not give up because it is possible to start over. Perhaps the manuscript is too limited in scope or does not contain sufficient data. Careful reading of the reviews and consultation with the section editor can help the author decide on the additional work that needs to be done before writing a new manuscript.
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