Publishing in Scholarly Journals: Views from an Editor

Joyce J. Fitzpatrick PhD, RN, FAAN, FNAP

Steps in Writing for Publication

• Planning phase

• Writing phase

• Publishing phase

Selecting a Journal

• Determine your primary audience

• Match your desired audience to the journal’s targeted audience

Selecting a Journal• Questions of time:

– How often is the journal published?– What is the backlog of manuscripts?– Are there theme issues only?– What are the experiences of others?

Selecting a Journal• Quality of the journal

• CINAHL database: 1200+ journals listed (417 nursing journals); list of journals in CINAHL is available in index

• Databases of journals

Web Sites of Journal Directories

• On-Line Nursing Editors page:– 140+ nursing journals– http://members.aol.com/suzannehj/naed.htlm

Web Sites of Journal Directories

• NursingCenter.com – www.nursingcenter.com– Author guidelines for many journals– TOC and web sites for journals

Web Sites of Journal Directories

• www.mco.edu/lib/instr/libinsta.htlm

• Provides links to more than 3000 journals in health and life sciences

• Linked alphabetically

Web Sites of Journal Directories

• Htlm://www.library.kent.edu/nahrs/resource/reports/specrpts.html

• Provides a “Key Nursing Journals Chart” which details peer review status of journals, % of articles published and number of research articles published in each journal

Institute of Scientific Information (ISI)

• Rates journals

• Provides journal citation reports

Journal Guidelines

• Available on website or in print copy

• Delineate format

• Reference style

• Number of copies

• Address to send materials

Publishing Phase

• Prepare and send to selected journal with a cover letter to editor

• Monitor the time frame for response

• Revise as recommended

• Enjoy your name in print

Know the journal…

• Review back issues …at least 1 year

• Review editors, editorial board

• Seek advice…e.g. query letter

• Know the journal guidelines

Topics of interest for Applied Nursing Research (ANR)

• Research that is immediately useful to the clinician

• Research that is immediately useful to the nurse administrator

• Applications of research instruments to clinical practice

ANR Columns

• International column

• Ask an Expert

• Research Briefs

ANR Research Briefs

• Pilot studies

• Research in process

ANR Peer Review Process

1. Editor review for overall fit with journal

2. Peer review by three teams of reviewers who are members of manuscript review panel, with content/methods expertise in area of manuscript focus

3. Editor review of reviewers comment, and decision regarding publication

Archives of Psychiatric Nursing

• Mental health and behavioral components of health and illness

• Columns, including health policy, clinical issues, “hot” topics, and psychopharmacology

Seek experts

• Many FPB faculty are willing to help and available to review your outlines and manuscripts