Publishing Model and Editorial IndependenceFrederick Fenter, Executive Editor

Points of discussion(1) Community-based Journals(2) Separation of editorial and publisher roles(3) Objective threshold for article acceptance(4) Roles and responsibilities of the Journal Managers do not include content

concerns(5) Roles and responsibilities of the Editorial Boards (SCEs)(6) Transparency and integrity

Separation of “Editorial” and “Publisher” roles (WAME)

“The editor-in-chief’s primary responsibilities are to inform and educate readers, with attention to the accuracy and importance of journal articles, and to protect and strengthen the integrity and quality of the journal and its processes.”

“Editorial decisions should be based on the validity of the work and its importance to readers, not the policies or commercial success of the owner. Editors should be free to publish critical but responsible views about all aspects of medicine without fear of retribution.”

Editors-in-chief should have full authority over the editorial content of the journal, generally referred to as "editorial independence.” Owners should not interfere in the evaluation, selection, or editing of individual articles, either directly or by creating an environment in which editorial decisions are strongly influenced.

Separation of “Editorial” and “Publisher” roles (WAME)

Traditional Journal

Prof. Rabton

OK !?

?

?

?

?

R1

R2

AE1

AE2

AE3

Approved by Rabton

Having a strong Chief Editor is not a condition for an ethical Editorial Board Structure

WAME Ethical Guidelines

Frontiers Model

Prof. SteinforOK !

Stevens

Baum

Dali

Shin

Micheles

Approved by Stevens, Baum and Micheles

Frontiers Model

Prof. SteinforOK !

Stevens

Baum

Dali

Shin

Michales

Approved by Stevens, Baum and Micheles

Wall of Editorial Independence

EDITORS AND PLATFORM FRONTIERS

WAL

L O

F ED

ITO

RIAL

INDE

PEN

DEN

CECONTENT LOGISTICS

21st Century Editorial Office open 24 / 7 Build, maintain and develop the platform

Submissions alert for every paper

Build Editorial Boards / manage invitations

Access Terms and Conditions

GEN

ERAL

CO

NCE

RNS

Marketing to all communities

Nomination of FCEs and SCEs

Define Terms and Conditions across all Fields

Wall of Editorial Independence

EDITORS AND PLATFORM FRONTIERS

WAL

L O

F ED

ITO

RIAL

INDE

PEN

DEN

CECONTENT LOGISTICS

Scope and Mission statement Publication of Mission statement

Proposal for article types

Act as brand ambassador

JOU

RNAL

OPE

RATI

ON

S

Final decision on article types

JMs represent Frontiers at conferences

Set Article Processing Charges

Wall of Editorial Independence

EDITORS AND PLATFORM FRONTIERS

WAL

L O

F ED

ITO

RIAL

INDE

PEN

DEN

CECONTENT LOGISTICS

MS check upon submission (QC basics)AE selection: preferred, auto, or manual

RE selection: auto or manual

Independent interactive review

MAN

USC

RIPT

EVA

LUAT

ION

JM provide digests for urgent action

EOF provides advice and coordination on ethical issues

Upon acceptance, article forwarded for production

SCE oversight and intervention

Accept / Reject decision

Nature Publishing Group Peer-Review Process “All submitted manuscripts are read by the editorial staff. To save time for authors and peer-reviewers, only those papers that seem most likely to meet our editorial criteria are sent for formal review. Those papers judged by the editors to be of insufficient general interest or otherwise inappropriate are rejected promptly without external review (although these decisions may be based on informal advice from specialists in the field). Manuscripts judged to be of potential interest to our readership are sent for formal review, typically to two or three reviewers, but sometimes more if special advice is needed (for example on statistics or a particular technique).

The editors then make a decision based on the reviewers' advice.”

Roles and Responsibilities of Journal Managers

(1) Implementing initiatives towards the achievement of journal targets and procedures to ensure the quality of journals

(2) Ensuring that journal operations are run efficiently and that the Frontiers’ visions and missions are adhered to

(3) Aligning of priorities within the program and timely reporting of issues to the program manager

(4) Inspiring and providing guidance to team members towards better performance and supporting their professional development

(5) Contributing to editorial office strategic plans, policies and new initiatives(6) Representing frontiers in an official role at events

SCEs overseeing submissions• Appointed trusted AEs• Submission notification• Micro-monitor• Weekly digests (high throughput journals)• Revoke/Assign Editors• Invite additional Editors • Acceptance notification• Final validation check• Dashboard overview (Fall 2015)

Submission notification

SCEs accessing the review forum

Reject manuscript option

Manage editor invitations

Invite additional editors

Conclusions

Journals are community basedAssessment of content is in the hands of the editorial boardsProcesses are in place and being reinforced with every new version