Jim Zimring, MD, PhD, the Thomas W. Tillack Professor of Experimental Pathology, published an op-ed story in The Scientist about the importance of associate editors actively engaging in the manuscript review process for the greater scientific good.
Dr. Zimring states that far too often associate editors are hesitant to get involved when authors want to appeal the validity of reviewers’ comments. He says, “associate editors more often serve as a procedural jurist, facilitating dialogue between authors and reviewers, with reviewer placation remaining the metric of acceptability.”
Zimring emphasizes the role of an associate editor is to be “an active scientific mind” in the process of manuscript review. According to Zimring, “associate editors who jump off the bench and wrestle in the mud, when required, are desperately needed” — part of our essential mission to facilitate the dialog about the process of science.
Read the full article in The Scientist.
Filed Under: Media Highlights, Research