HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Free Full Text (PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Pearson, C. H. Articles by Phillips, S. B. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Pearson, C. H. Articles by Phillips, S. B. Agricola Articles by Pearson, C. H. Articles by Phillips, S. B. Related Collections Opinion Communications

Forum

Associate Editor's Role in Helping Authors and Upholding Journal Standards

^a Colorado State Univ., Agric. Exp. Stn., Western Colorado Research Center, 1910 L Road, Fruita, CO 81521
^b Ohio State Univ., OARDC-SENR, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, OH 44691
^c Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Inst., Blacksburg, VA 24061

^* Corresponding author (calvin.pearson{at}colostate.edu)

Received for publication October 24, 2005. Scientists must publish the findings of their research for the public good while making an impact on behalf of their funding agencies and institutions or organizations. In this article, we examine associate editor responsibilities and functions to determine the suitability of manuscripts for publication in Agronomy Journal. Associate editors comprise the largest component of scientific editors on the Agronomy Journal Editorial Board and have more one-on-one contact with authors than do technical editors, the Managing Editor, the Assistant Editor, or the Editor. A large number of scientific reviewers assist associate editors in evaluating manuscripts submitted to the journal. Identifying qualified reviewers is a critical task for associate editors. Reviewers of manuscripts provide comments, suggestions, and recommendations for publication, while associate editors assess that information to determine if the manuscript should be published. During the review process, associate editors correspond and work with authors and reviewers, obtain revisions as needed, and mediate technical issues and differences. Because the ultimate goal is to help authors publish their papers, associate editors often find themselves as author advocates during the review process. Thus, associate editors carry a dual obligation in that they must serve the needs of authors and also uphold the standards and reputation of the journal.