Interim Report for Annual Evaluation

AfricanJournalPartnership
ProjectAnnualEvaluation
InterimReport,June2015
Preparedby:
JenniferKullgren|FredFusting
KaufmanWillsFusting&Company
AAMAnnalesAfricainesdeMédecine
AHSAfricanHealthSciences
EJHSEthiopianJournalofHealthSciences
GMJGhanaMedicalJournal
MMMaliMedical
MMJMalawiMedicalJournal
MJZMedicalJournalofZambia
SLJBRSierraLeoneJournalofBiomedicalResearch
1
TableofContents
1. Identify equipment and facility needs of the 2 new African-partner journals ......................... 3 2. Identify editorial needs of the 2 new African-partner journals................................................ 3 3. Provide computer hardware, software, and appropriate internet connectivity ...................... 3 4. Improving journal management and succession planning ...................................................... 4 5. Plans for effective, sustainable publishing operations ............................................................. 5 6. Establish internships to mentor and train the next generation of editors .............................. 6 7. Identify and support internet providers to host the journals’ websites ................................... 7 8. Provide training on managing, improving, and maintaining journals’ websites .................... 7 9. Journal Article XML tagging and sending for posting in PubMed Central and PubMed ....... 8 10. Communicating science and the importance of making research visible .............................. 9 11. Financial support for managing editor/business managers ................................................... 9 12. Training for authors, reviewers and researchers .................................................................. 10 13. Provide updated computer hardware and software to African journal publishing offices as
well as advanced training to editorial office personnel. .............................................................. 11 14. Journal visibility and recognition .......................................................................................... 12 15. Becoming members and active participants in professional societies for editors ............... 14 16. Innovation of dissemination for scientific journals .............................................................. 14 17. Editorial Governance and Structure .......................................................................................17 18. Scientific Integrity Issues ....................................................................................................... 22 19. Journal throughput ................................................................................................................ 25 20. User perceptions .................................................................................................................... 26 21. Editors’ experience of the Partnership Project...................................................................... 26 22. Journal performance indicators for 2014 ............................................................................. 29 2
1.Identifyequipmentandfacilityneedsofthe2newAfrican‐partnerjournals
a. Regarding equipment and facility needs:
 SLJBR and AAM have both had a site visit to identify equipment needs. Reports were
generated for each journal describing needs assessment for equipment and facilities, and
the report identified how each piece of equipment would aid in enhancing the journal’s
capabilities.
 AAM has been provided with updated computer hardware and software. However,
neither SLJBR nor AAM have had editorial office personnel training since receiving
updated computer hardware and software
b. If applicable, please list updated computer hardware and software you have
been provided, and describe training your office personnel has received on
your updated computer hardware and software:
 AAM received 3 computers, 1 Laptop and a server.
2.Identifyeditorialneedsofthe2newAfrican‐partnerjournals
a. Have you had a site visit from your partner journals or others in AJPP?
 AAM has had a site visit from their partner journals or others in AJPP. SLJBR has not.
b. Were specific needs addressed by this visit?
 AAM has requested to recover the delay in publishing the 7th issue of AAM and the
process is ongoing
3.Providecomputerhardware,software,andappropriateinternet
connectivity
ScholarOne Manuscripts is an online manuscript tracking system donated to the African
journals by Thomson Reuters. It has a customizable workflow system for online manuscript
submission and journal editorial management. It also has the capacity to allow journal staff to
monitor status and overall productivity levels. The use of this web based system should
significantly enhance journal management and journal visibility to authors.
a. Have you and your journal staff received training, online support, or general
guidance on how to use the ScholarOne Manuscripts system?
 All journals but MM and SLJBR indicated yes.
b. Are you using ScholarOne Manuscripts?
 EHJS, AHS, MMJ and GMJ are using ScholarOne Manuscripts for receiving submissions
from authors, for sending manuscripts out for peer review, and for general journal
management such as keeping track of the number of submissions, acceptance rates,
decision times, etc.
3

At this point, MJZ SLJBR, AAM and MM are not using ScholarOne Manuscripts for
these purposes.
c. Comments:
 According to AAM, the process is ongoing , and expect to be fully operational by the end
of this year
 AHS indicated that they are very grateful for the opportunity to use ScholarOne
 MM attempted to organize a training without success
 SLJBR indicated that the process started but yet to be completed
d. Are you and your team confident in using ScholarOne Manuscripts or do you
need more training?
 EJHS and GMJ are confident in using ScholarOne Manuscripts.
 AAM, AHS, MJZ, MMJ, and SLJBR require more training.
e. Comments:
 GMJ: Individual editorial committee members require further training
 MJZ: All are familiar with it but have not been able to complete the trial and activate it.
 MM: Needs basic training on the French version of the software
4.Improvingjournalmanagementandsuccessionplanning
a. Have you (and/or your staff) attended workshops on the implementation and
use of the ScholarOne Manuscripts system?
 AHS and MMJ reported attending workshops on the implementation and use of the
ScholarOne Manuscripts system. All journal representatives that attended the 2014
annual meeting participated in a workshop about ScholarOne Manuscripts.
b. Have you ever attended a workshop on succession planning?
 EJHS and AHS reported attending a workshop on succession planning. All journals that
had representatives attend the 2012 annual meetings participated in a workshop on
sustainability that included discussion of succession.
c. Have you been advised on how to implement a plan for handing over to the next
editor?
 EJHS has been advised on how to implement a plan for handing over to the next editor;
the remaining journals have not.
d. Please give examples of succession planning for your journal.
 AAM: Reviewers are selected around the world mainly in the sub region. We have
experienced some publishing difficulties during the year 2014 which are now being
overcome.
 AHS: 2 Identified successors moved to other universities. Currently training another 2
persons
 EJHS: The editorial board and editorial consultants are revised and enriched.
4



GMJ: In house training of next EIC as above
MJZ: The Journal has streamlined the Journal hierarchy and created a line of
succession.
MM: Election
e. Are you currently involving library staff with your journal management?
 All but GMJ are currently involving library staff with your journal management.
f. Comments:
 AAM: Hard copies of AAM are exposed at the library of the faculty
 EJHS: But the librarian involvement is limited.
 GMJ: However, currently the Editorial Committee on its own is training two identified
members to take over from the current EIC
 MJZ: The Deputy University Librarian has been involved in the journal's activities for
over a decade. She remains an active member of the Journal team.
 MM: We are working on the editorial board in involving an intern in the editorial board.
Secondary in 2015 we’ll have a new editorial board
g. If you are currently involving library staff with your journal management,
please give examples of how:
 AAM: The library is involved in the dissemination of the hard copies which may also be
consulted locally
 EJHS: A librarian is involved in training of authors, reviewers and editors.
 MJZ: The librarian runs activities aimed at improving authors' ability to search for data
online. She is further involved in the Journal's plans to re-list on PubMed Central and
the installation of DOIs.
 MM: A librarian is in duty in the editorial board as councilor
 MMJ: Library staff involvement is mainly on the board. We could involve them more.
 SLJBR: The librarian of the Medical College is a member of the editorial board.
5.Plansforeffective,sustainablepublishingoperations
a. Does your journal have a business plan?
 AAM, MJZ, MM, and MMJ currently have business plans. EJHS, GMJ, SLJBR, and AHS
do not at this time.
b. Have you received a review of your current publishing operations?
 Only AAM said they received a review of current publishing operations and that new
business plans were suggested
 MJZ received a business plan but did not have a review
 EJHS, AAM, GMJ, MJZ, MM, SLJBR, and MMJ would all like further help in developing
their business plans.
5
c. Comments:
 AAM: The commission ad hoc from the faculty has given some recommendations to
improve the management of the journal
 AHS: Sure!
 EJHS: Business plan development is scheduled for 2016/17
 GMJ: An important issue for all the journals
 MJZ: Despite identifying structural changes to the Journal staff to infuse in a Business
Manager, identifying collaborating partners that have shown a willingness to finance the
Journal: we have not been able to crystallize all these ideas into a bankable plan.
 MM: After Malawi meeting in 20.. we prepare a business plan which include sponsoring
and submission fees
d. Following the sustainability workshop that was conducted prior to the seventh
annual AJPP meeting in May 2012, have you managed to develop or strengthen
a strategic business plan? If so, please provide details and give examples of
steps you have taken to make your journal more sustainable.
 AHS: No
 EJHS: 1. Increased the frequency from three to four times 2. Revitalization of editorial
board and editorial consultant 3. Strengthening admin team
 MJZ: We were able to secure funding support from the publisher; Zambia Medical
Association.
 MM: Submission fees Reclaims
6.Establishinternshipstomentorandtrainthenextgenerationofeditors
a. How many students have attended the African journal editorial offices on
internships over the course of the Partnership Project?
 AAM used 6 interns in 2014, but none in 2013
 AHS also used 3 interns, as they did in 2012 and 2013
 EJHS used 2 interns in 2014, consistent with use in 2011, 2012 and 2013
 MM and MMJ used 1 intern in 2014, consistent with years past
 Neither MJZ nor GMJ used interns in 2014
 SLJBR uses 3 interns, one more than in 2013
b. What specific skills were learned by the students during their internship in
2014?
 AAM: How to write a medical paper The process of reviewing a manuscript Ethical
considerations
 AHS: Journal editing; Handling manuscripts; Lining up manuscripts; Response to
author queries, Copy editing
 EJHS: Manuscript management process
 MMJ: Scholar one, peer reviewing, journal management
 MM: Checking manuscripts; sending manuscripts to reader; sending reader's comment
to authors ; tracking manuscripts (readers, authors, etc)
6

SLJBR: Receiving and processing manuscript. Formatting before printing.
c. How did the interns help ease the burden of work in the editorial office?
 AAM: Their contribution is greatly appreciated in the process of recovering the delay in
publications
 AHS: Enormously
 EJHS: They helped mainly in the admin activities like checking submissions if they are
in line with EJHS requirement
 GMJ: No suitable individual identified
 MMJ: Immensely through easing admin work and communication with reviewers and
authors
 MM: Identifying local reviewers ; speeding peer review process; help in issue drafting
 SLJBR: Interns working under supervision of editorial team helped with processing and
formatting of manuscript
7.Identifyandsupportinternetproviderstohostthejournals’websites
The first phase of the partnership project revealed the increasing importance of having a web
version of thejournals hosted by a reliable source. A greater secure web presence can improve
journal visibility and attractvisitors who are unable to obtain the print version. Inclusion of
journal content in a public archive, such asPubMed Central, would also help improve journal
visibility and accessibility.
a. Who hosts your website?
 AAM: www.ovh.com
 AHS: Bioline/Br African Journals online (AJOL)
 EJHS: The publisher- Jimma University
 GMJ: PAL Communications, Ghana on space provided by Noguchi Memorial Institute
for Medical Research
 MJZ: Iconnect Zambia
 MMJ: University of Malawi, College of Medicine
 MM: EHP
8.Providetrainingonmanaging,improving,andmaintainingjournals’
websites
a. How many readers/users accessed the journal website in 2014?
 AAM: from about 2 months, we have 5,206 visits
 AHS: 59,312,228
 EJHS: 4,779
 MM: 3,568
7
b. Are you and/or your journal staff confident in managing, improving and
maintaining journal websites including handling XML and HTML formatted
material for web posting? Please give details:
 AAM: yes, the webmaster is able to manage the website, but needs some training to
improve skills
 AHS: Not quite
 EJHS: Except for XML and HTML formatting, we are confident enough
 GMJ: No. XML conversion is OK but this function is outsourced
 MJZ: No; We have contracted an IT company to post material on the website.
 MMJ: Yes, we are confident.
 MM: No
 SLJBR: No
c. Have you or your staff received training in implementing the use of digital
object identifiers (DOIs)?
 GMJ, MMJ, and EJHS reported receiving training.
 MJZ, MM, SLJBR, MMJ, AHS, and AAM would like further training in the use of DOIs.
 EJHS, GMJ, MMJ, and AHS are currently using DOIs for published articles.
Comments on how the journals are/are not using DOIs for published articles:
 AAM feels that they need more training in the use of DOIs to implement the system for
their submission and publications. Their young editors are very interested in this field.
 AHS, EJHS, GMJ, and MMJ all utilize the DOIs from African Journals Online (AJOL)
d. Have you or your staff received training on improving your website design,
functionality, and usefulness? If yes, please describe. If no, what training is
needed?
 EJHS: Yes. During annual AJPP meetings, we saw the basic parameters a website should
have and we made changes accordingly.
 GMJ: Yes. Changes made based on comments by AJPP website review
 MJZ: Yes; has received consultant advice on the website at the various AJPP annual
meetings that have been taken on to improve the website.
 AAM: No. Needs assistance with website design and functionality
 AHS: No. Need training on functionality, usefulness
 MMJ: Yes
9.JournalArticleXMLtaggingandsendingforpostinginPubMedCentraland
PubMed
a. Are you having the XML conversion of journal articles done by SPi Services? If
yes, please provide comments on how this is working:
 AHS: It is working very well and they are extremely grateful
 EJHS: They deposit the PDF format on ftp created for them and SPi services convert to
XML and submit to Medline and PubMed central
8


GMJ: This is working very well with SPi Services. PDF files are uploaded via FTP
MMJ: Working well, they get feedback once the PDF file for conversion is sent. They
always come back if the images sent are not of a good resolution.
b. Are you having the XML conversion of journal articles done locally? If yes,
please explain how this is working:
 EJHS & MM replied yes, with MM stating they tried two years ago to do a local XML
conversion without big success
c. Do you need additional training on sending files for XML conversion by SPi
services or to have this done locally? If yes, please explain your needs:
 AAM: training on sending files for XML conversion by SPi services
 AHS: More training on how we could do this locally
 EJHS: To do the XML conversion locally
 MJZ: We need training on XML conversion of files.
 MMJ: We would be able to send raw files directly to PubMed and this would speed up
our visibility on PubMed and Medline
 MM: replied yes but did not list any needs
10.Communicatingscienceandtheimportanceofmakingresearchvisible
a. Have you or your staff attended a workshop on how to make your journal more
visible? If yes, how are you making your journal more visible?
 All journals attended a workshop on this during the 2014 annual meeting
 EJHS: Indexing on various aggregates, notification of new issues etc...
 GMJ: Through indexing
 MJZ: By publicizing the website at higher institutions of training and using the social
media platforms such as Facebook.
 MMJ: Recently been indexed on Bioline. We are upgrading our website for it to be more
responsive to modern technology.
b. Do you try to reach out to the local news media? If yes, please describe how
often you do this and provide examples of when and how you have done so.
 AAM: During scientific meetings locally or abroad, we use to talk about our journal.
SIFEM, Bruxelles April 6-8: WHO Kinshasa
 MMJ: We held a science communication workshop for journalists.
11.Financialsupportformanagingeditor/businessmanagers
a. Does your journal have a managing editor/business manager?
 EJHS, GMJ, SLJBR, and AHS all have managing editor or business manager
9
b. In your opinion, why is it important to have a managing editor/business
manager for your journal?
 AAM: A business manager will be greatly helpful in funds mobilization from public and
private agencies and he will be involved in a broad dissemination of AAM for more
visibility
 AHS: Because this catalysis our operations and looks at the sustainability issues. It also
helps us to position ourselves in the international arena
 EJHS: For EJHS Managing editor is a key position. This person is responsible for
checking submissions, language edition, galley proof preparation etc.
 GMJ: The ME is responsible for vetting submissions, type-setting and distribution of
journal issues and also manages the journal office.
 MJZ: This officer will be the lynch-piece in operations of the Journal coordinating all
publication activities as well as working on various activities to make the Journal
sustainable financially.
 MMJ: It saves time and improves efficiency. The editor/ business manager can focus on
the journal's sustainability whilst the editor gets busy with day to day
 MM: Upgrading journal dissemination and visibility
 SLJBR: Help take care of the day to day running of the journal. To help implement any
business plans
12.Trainingforauthors,reviewersandresearchers
a. If your authors attended a workshop funded by the AJPP, please give details of
the number of authors trained in each topic. Type N/A, if no authors attended.
 EJHS: Scientific writing workshop was conducted twice in collaboration with University
of Oslo
 GMJ: Scientific writing workshop was conducted twice in collaboration with University
of Oslo
b. In 2014, did you/your journal organize a workshop for authors or reviewers of
your journal? If so, please describe the workshop
 AHS: NA for 2014. Plan to apply in 2015
 EJHS: Workshops were held at the college of health science Academic commission hall,
Jimma University. It was aimed at Authors and reviewers. The two workshops were on
level-I and Level-II scientific each lasted for five days. Each workshop was attended by
22 participants form Jimma University and St. Paul Hospital Millennium Medical
College. The workshop is serial where those who participated on Level-I continued on
level-II. There were 22 participants in each workshop. Level-III is to be continued in
September 2015 for the same group. Participants said the workshop was highly
appreciated.
 GMJ: The workshop was held at Ghana Medical Association Offices, Accra. It was
organized for reviewers during which common problems identified as well as the
responsibility of reviewers were discussed. There were 17 participants made up of
10


Editorial Committee members and regular reviews. The participants felt the reenforcement of their role as reviewers was very timely.
MM: The workshop was held at Bamako and was aimed at young researchers from
National Scientific & Technology Research Centre (CNRST). 20 people attended. Main
topics covered included: Which help for young researchers, Kills for writing and
publishing result of research, and ethical aspects of publishing a scientific article. During
5 days 2 lecturer from Mali medical (EIC & editor) help the attendees to build a research
protocol; to propose it to a sponsor; to publish the result of this research
SLJBR: The workshop was held in Hired hall. Approximately 20 junior doctors, medical
students, and reviewers attended. The workshop was organized for medical on writing of
proposals and scientific papers.
c. Do you plan to organize author and reviewer workshops in the near future?
 All of the journals have plans to organize author and reviewer workshops in the near
future.
d. If yes, when, for whom, where?
 AAM: For young editors followed by one for reviewers in Kinshasa by July
 AHS: 2015
 EJHS: 9/1/2015
 GMJ: DTD and for authors
 MJZ: For reviewers; Venue will be in Lusaka.
 MMJ: Editorial Board, Authors and Students. Blantyre, Malawi
 SLJBR: Qtr 4 of 2015 and qtr 1 of 2016
e. In 2014, did you or your journal organize any other training workshops? If yes,
please explain.
 AHS: Replied yes, did not provide details
 EJHS: A 5 day research Ethics workshop was conducted in November 2014
 MMJ: Manuscript central training for Editorial Board members
f. Please describe any training you or your staff received in 2014 relevant to your
journal and the goals of AJPP. Who received training, and what was the
training?
 MMJ: Manuscript Central, Use of Social Media to improve visibility of journal, Use of
DOIs. Designing and layout of journal. Trained at JAMA in Chicago
13.ProvideupdatedcomputerhardwareandsoftwaretoAfricanjournal
publishingofficesaswellasadvancedtrainingtoeditorialofficepersonnel.
a. Are you or your staff able to use ScholarOne Manuscripts to manage and track
submissions and reviews with confidence, and generate reports on the
performance of the journal?
11








AAM: Yes to manage and track submissions. No to generate reports. Commented that
the webmaster needs additional training
AHS: Yes to both
EJHS: Yes to both
GMJ: Yes to both
MJZ: No to both
MM: No to generating reports. Need training on the new version
MMJ: Yes to both. Feel that ScholarOne is very useful and that they are completely
dependent on it for the efficient running of the journal.
SLJBR: No to both
b. Please provide details of any additional software you require or training in how
to use software.
 AAM: Endnote, CMS (wordpress, joomla), Photoshop
 EJHS and GMJ: Plagiarism checker
 MMJ: Adobe Suite updated software required
14.Journalvisibilityandrecognition
a. In which of the following bibliographic databases and directories is your
journal indexed?
Answer Options
African Index Medicus
African Journals Online
(AJOL
Bioline (Canada)
CABI publishing
Directory of Open
Access Journals
(DOAJ):
EBSCO Publishing
EMBASE
Google Scholar
PubMed Central
PubMed/MEDLINE
Scopus
Web of Science
(formally ISI)
AAM
AHS
EJHS
GMJ
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
MJZ
MM
X
X
X
SLJBR
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
MMJ
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
12
b. Do you have plans to digitalize the back archive of your journal for PubMed
Central? If yes, please give details.
 AAM: Yes, they have a back archive ready for any use
 AHS: Yes
 EJHS: Yes, they will see the requirement from PubMed Central
 GMJ: No, the copies available are photocopies and not easily converted to text. May be
archived as photocopied Acrobat files. XML conversion for PubMed Central will be a
challenge
 MJZ and SLJBR are undecided
 MM: No
 MMJ: Yes, they plan to scan all back issues and will supply electronic files
c. Regarding submitting to SPi and AJOL, are you submitting article files to SPi
Global services for XML conversion? If so, what is the most recent issue you
sent to SPi Global services?
 AAM: No
 AHS: Yes, 3/1/2015
 EJHS: Yes, April 2015 issue
 GMJ: Yes, March 2015 issue
 MJZ: No
 MM:?
 MMJ: Yes, March 2015, Vol 27 no.1
 SLJBR: No
d. Are you submitting files and metadata to AJOL? If so, what is the most recent
issue you sent to AJOL?
 AAM: No
 AHS: Yes, 3/1/2015
 EJHS: Yes, April 2015 issue
 GMJ: Yes, March 2015 issue
 MJZ: Yes, Vol 41 Number 1 of 2014
 MM: No
 MMJ: Yes, March 2015, Vol 27 no.1
 SLJBR: Yes, 7/1/2014
e. Please give examples of publicity plans to increase the visibility of your journal.
 AAM: Website with links to social media (Facebook, twitter, what's up) Through also the
website of the faculty: www.facmed-unikin.net and local media
 AHS: Facebook and Twitter
 EJHS: Get indexed on Scopus, Web of Science, Bioline and DOAJ
 GMJ: Explore the use of social media other than Facebook; and further explore local
journalists
 MMJ: Website updates, Sending of alerts of new issues on Twitter and Facebook,
Sending the news media Table of contents to source news ideas
13
15.Becomingmembersandactiveparticipantsinprofessionalsocietiesfor
editors
a. Which professional societies are you or your journal currently a member?
Answer Options
The Committee on
Publication Ethics
(COPE):
The Council of Science
Editors (CSE):
The International
Committee of Medical
Journal Editors (ICMJE):
The World Association
of Medical Editors
(WAME):
AAM
X
AHS
X
EJHS
GMJ
MJZ
MM
MMJ
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
SLJBR
X
X
X
X
b. Are you currently a member of any other professional societies for editors? If
so, please list.
 AAM: Intechopen
 AHS and MJZ: Previously Forum for African Medical Editors (FAME)
 GMJ: None (Previously FAME)
 MM: African Francophone editors group
c. If you are participating in any of these society's committees or projects or
involved in any other ways, please explain.
 The editors attend the CSE annual meeting (every other year) and many participate in
the educational short courses.
16.Innovationofdisseminationforscientificjournals
a. Who is the primary audience for your journal?
Answer Options
Researchers
News organizations
Government Agencies
Policy makers
General Public
Medical Professionals
Other Health
Professionals and
Workers
Librarians
Other
AAM
X
AHS
X
EJHS
X
GMJ
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
MJZ
MM
X
MMJ
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
SLJBR
X
X
14
Other responses included:
 MMJ: Students
b. What audiences are you not reaching now, but would be important to reach so
that the information in your journal can be translated into public health
advances?
Answer Options
Researchers
News organizations
Government Agencies
Policy makers
General Public
Medical Professionals
Other Health
Professionals and
Workers
Librarians
Other
AAM
AHS
EJHS
GMJ
MJZ
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
MM
MMJ
SLJBR
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
c. Which of the following channels do you currently use, beyond the publication
of scientific evidence, to help disseminate the material in your journal?
Answer Options
Radio spots
Press releases
Blogs
Twitter
Facebook
Workshops
TV Spots/Interviews
Cell phone messaging
Other
AAM
AHS
EJHS
GMJ
MJZ
MM
MMJ
SLJBR
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Other responses included:
 MM: Scientific congress, meeting
 EJHS and GMJ: None
15
d. How frequently do you use the following channels to help disseminate the
material in your journal?
Answer
Options
Radio spots
Press releases
Blogs
Twitter
Facebook
Not at all
GMJ, MJZ,
SLJBR, MMJ,
AHS
EJHS, GMJ, MJZ,
SLJBR, MMJ
AHS, EJHS, GMJ,
MJZ, SLJBR
AHS, EJHS, GMJ,
MJZ, SLJBR
AHS, EJHS, GMJ,
SLJBR
Workshops
EJHS, GMJ, MJZ
TV Spots/
Interviews
Cell phone
messaging
AHS, EJHS, GMJ,
MJZ, SLJBR
AHS, EJHS, GMJ,
MJZ, MMJ, SLJBR
AHS, EJHS, GMJ,
MJZ
Other
For an
occasional
issue
Most issues
Every issue
Every issue
and between
issues
EJHS, AAM
AHS
MMJ
AAM, MMJ
AAM, MJZ
AAM, AHS,
SLJBR,
MMJ
AAM, MM,
MMJ
MMJ
MM
AAM
MM
Other responses included:
 MM: Email
e. Have you experimented with ways to extend the reach of your journal? If so,
could you tell us about what you did and whether or not you thought it was
successful?
 AAM: The ad hoc commission has given many orientations for improving the
dissemination of AAM
 EJHS: Notification email to registered audiences
 GMJ: Writing press releases. Had challenges with interviews with authors.
 MMJ: Tried to put journals in popular bookshops to be available to the general
population. This was not successful the journals were not being bought.
 SLJBR: Target scientific and clinical meetings. Doctors during their annual general
meeting
f. Regarding the AJPP Dissemination Toolkit, have you reviewed the AJPP
Dissemination Toolkit? Used the AJPP Dissemination Toolkit? If so, please
describe.
 AHS: Has used
 EJHS, GMJ and MJZ: have reviewed but not used
16


MM: Has not reviewed or used the toolkit. Feels they have a lack of human resource:
their librarian has not successfully done it
MMJ: Has reviewed and used the toolkit.
17.EditorialGovernanceandStructure
a. Who owns your journal?
 AAM: The faculty of Medicine of Kinshasa
 AHS: Makerere University School of Medicine
 EJHS: Jimma University
 GMJ: Ghana Medical Association
 MJZ: The Zambia Medical Association
 MM: Mali Medical Society
 MMJ: University of Malawi, College of Medicine and Medical Association of Malawi
 SLJBR: The College of medicine of Sierra Leone
b. Does the journal have a management or publications committee (this is not the
editorial board)? What are the primary responsibilities of those on the journal
management or publications committee? Who appoints the journal
management or publications committee?
 Only AAM replied that yes, they have a committee. They have a board of editors from
their institution and abroad. Its primary responsibility is to manage the journal & no
appointment is necessary.
 EJHS: No, it is the college of health science office which processes print publication
 GMJ: There used to be one but has not functioned for some years now.
 MJZ: No, the Journal, and all publications of the ZMA, is managed by its Publications
Committee
c. Please provide the name or names of those responsible for final editorial
decisions for your journal?
 AAM: Kayembe Ntumba Jean-Marie: Editor in Chief, Sumaili Kiswaya Ernest: Deputy
chief Editor
 AHS: James K Tumwine
 EJHS: Abraham Haileamlak: EIC, Tsinuel Girma: Assoc. EIC, Tefera Belachew: Assoc.
EIC, Gemeda Abebe: Assoc. EIC
 GMJ: David Ofori-Adjei: EIC, Margaret Lartey: Deputy EIC
 MJZ: Members of the Editorial Board
 MM: Chair of editorial board
 MMJ: Dr. Chiwoza Bandawe, Professor Eric Borgstein
 SLJBR: Prof Gbakima, Prof Foday Sahr, Dr George
d. What is the position of the person responsible for final editorial decisions for
your journal?
 AAM: Editor in chief/Editor, Associate/Deputy Editor
17







AHS: Editor in chief/Editor
EJHS: Editor in chief/Editor
GMJ: Editor in chief/Editor
MJZ: Editor in chief/Editor
MM: Editor in chief/Editor, Chair of Editorial Board
MMJ: Editor in chief/Editor
SLJBR: Chair of Editorial Board
e. Approximately how many years has the person or persons responsible for final
editorial decisions for your journal been in this position or positions?
 AAM: 7 years
 AHS: 14 years
 EJHS: 8 years
 GMJ: 16 years
 MJZ: 7 years
 MMJ: 6 years
 SLJBR: 4 years
f. Does your journal have the following positions, and position descriptions that
define roles and responsibilities for each?
Answer Options
Publisher, publishing director
or other similar position
Editor in chief/Editor
Associate, deputy editor or
other similar editor
Managing editor or other
similar editor
Web/IT editor or manager
Yes, and we do
have a position
description
Yes, but no
position
description
AAM, AHS, GMJ,
MM
Do not have this
position
EJHS, MJZ, MMJ,
SLJBR
All journals
AAM, AHS, EJHS,
GMJ, MJZ, MM
AHS,EJHS, GMJ,
MMJ, SLJBR
AAM, AHS
MMJ, SLJBR
AAM, MJZ, MM
EJHS, SLJBR
GMJ, MJZ, MM,
MMJ
g. Please list the titles of other editorial positions your journal has:
 AHS: Intern
 EJHS: Editorial board members Editorial consultants
 GMJ: Editorial board members Editorial Advisors
 MJZ: Associate Editors
 MM: Chair of editorial board; vice chair of editorial board; treasurer
 MMJ: Intern
h. If applicable, what is the name of the person in each of these positions at your
journal? (Type N/A if not applicable or not available.)
 AAM
o Publisher, publishing director or other similar position: Mvumbi Lelo Georges
18






o
o
o
o
AHS
o
o
o
o
o
EJHS
o
o
o
o
o
GMJ
o
o
o
o
o
MJZ
o
o
o
o
o
MM
o
o
o
o
o
MMJ
o
o
o
o
o
Editor in chief/Editor: Kayembe Ntumba Jean-Marie
Associate, deputy editor or other similar editor: Sumaili Kiswaya Ernest
Managing editor or other similar editor: N/A
Web/IT editor or manager: Mwehu Nyembo Modeste
Publisher, publishing director or other similar position: N/A
Editor in chief/Editor: James Tumwine
Associate, deputy editor or other similar editor: Grace Ndeezi
Managing editor or other similar editor: Pauline Salamula
Web/IT editor or manager: Edgart Ktarahweire
Publisher, publishing director or other similar position: N/A
Editor in chief/Editor: Abraham Haileamlak
Associate, deputy editor or other similar editor: Tsinuel Girma, Tefera Belachew,
Gemeda Abebe
Managing editor or other similar editor: Tekle Ferede
Web/IT editor or manager: Eyuel Gesesse
Publisher, publishing director or other similar position: Ghana Medical
Association
Editor in chief/Editor: David Ofori-Adjei
Associate, deputy editor or other similar editor: Margaret Lartey
Managing editor or other similar editor: Freda Blankson-Mensah
Web/IT editor or manager: David Indome (out sourced)
Publisher, publishing director or other similar position: N/A
Editor in chief/Editor: Dr. John Kachimba
Associate, deputy editor or other similar editor: Dr. Bellington Vwalika, Professor
Mary Ngoma, Professor Paul Kelly, Professor Charles Michelo, Dr. Webster
Kasongo
Managing editor or other similar editor: N/A
Web/IT editor or manager: N/A
Publisher, publishing director or other similar position: MM
Editor in chief/Editor: Siaka Sidibé
Associate, deputy editor or other similar editor: Flabou Bougoudogo, Moussa Y
Maiga
Managing editor or other similar editor: N/A
Web/IT editor or manager: N/A
Publisher, publishing director or other similar position: N/A
Editor in chief/Editor: Dr. Chiwoza Bandawe
Associate, deputy editor or other similar editor: N/A
Managing editor or other similar editor: Mr. Thengo Kavinya
Web/IT editor or manager: N/A
19

SLJBR
o Publisher, publishing director or other similar position: N/A
o Editor in chief/Editor: Prof Aiah Gbakima
o Associate, deputy editor or other similar editor: N/A
o Managing editor or other similar editor: Dr. Anita George
o Web/IT editor or manager: Mr Sidi Sowa
i. Does your journal have an editorial board or editorial advisory board? If so,
how many board members are there? How many are from your country?
Every journal reported having an editorial board. EJHS said they call them editorial
consultants.
 AAM: 43 total, 32 from their country
 AHS: 22 total, 10 from their country
 EJHS: 14 total, 8 from their country
 GMJ: 20 total, 16 from their country
 MJZ: 6 members all from their country
 MM: 7 members all from their country
 MMJ: 12 members all from their country
 SLJBR: 8 total, 6 from their country
j. Who appoints the editorial board members?
 AHS: School of Medicine leadership
 EJHS: College of Health Sciences of Jimma University
 GMJ: Ghana Medical Association
 MJZ: The Publisher
 MMJ: The board chairman
 SLJBR: College of Medicine administration
k. If your board members have a term of service, how many years is the term?
 AAM, AHS, and EJHS board members do not have a term of service
 GMJ: 4 years
 MJZ, MM, MMJ, SLJBR: 3 years
l. Do you have a position description for editorial board members?
 AAM, EJHS, and MJZ all have position descriptions for board members.
m. Does your journal have a formal relationship with any institutions,
associations, funders or governmental agencies? If so, please provide their
names and the nature of the relationship.
 AAM: University of Kinshasa/D R Congo
 AHS: Owners, but no funding, AJPP, AJOL, SPI, Bioline,
 EJHS: Jimma University, Owner/funder
 GMJ: Ghana Medical Association
 MJZ: Zambia Medical Association (Publisher)
 MM: Faculty of Medicine
20


MMJ: University of Malawi College of Medicine, Medical Association of Malawi,
National Aids Commission/AJPP
SLJBR: Njala University - authors and reviewers, Sierra Leone Medical and Dental
Association
n. Regarding your journal's Editor in chief/Editor, to whom does the Editor in
chief/Editor report? Name/Title:
 AAM: Nobody
 AHS: Nelson Sewankambo
 EJHS: To the college Research and Graduate study office
 GMJ: The Executive Council, Ghana Medical Association
 MJZ: The Association President
 MM: Chair of editorial board
 MMJ: The board
 SLJBR: Editorial team
o. Who reports to the Editor in chief/Editor? Titles:
 AAM: Associate -Editor : Professor
 AHS: Editorial team members
 EJHS: Associate editors and editorial board members
 GMJ: Editors and the Managing Editor
 MJZ: Associate Editors, Editorial Assistant
 MM: Intern
 MMJ: Editorial Board Members
 SLJBR: managing editor
p. How many years has Editor in chief/Editor been in the role?
 AAM: 7
 AHS: 14 (Since founding journal in 2001)
 EJHS: 9
 GMJ: 16
 MJZ: 7
 MM: 12
 MMJ: 6
 SLJBR: 3
q. Does the Editor in chief/Editor have a contract? Yes/no:
 None of the editors have a contract. EJHS responded that their editor is a volunteer.
r. How many years is the Editor in chief/Editor’s term of service? (Input "none" if
no term of service.)
 AAM, AHS, EJHS, and MMJ all replied “none”
 GMJ: 4 years renewable
 MJZ: 3 years
 MM: 3 years renewable
 SLJBR: 3 years
21
s. Who reviews the Editor in chief/Editor's performance?
 AAM: Board of editors
 EJHS: The college Research and Graduate study office and the college dean
 GMJ: The Association for the EIC/EIC for Editors;
 MJZ: The Publisher
 MM: Medical Association
 MMJ: The Editorial Board
 SLJBR: the editorial board and the administration of the college of medicine
t. What are the primary factors considered in evaluating performance?
 AAM: turnover of publications, the flux of manuscripts, delay in the processing of
manuscripts
 EJHS: timeliness, quality publication and transparency
 GMJ: Quality of reviews and turn-around time
 MJZ: Regular publication
 MM: On time issue publication
 MMJ: Throughput and consistency
 SLJBR: sustainability of journal, frequency of publication.
u. Who has the authority to appoint or remove the Editor in chief/Editor?
 AAM: Not appointed : board of editors
 AHS: Not sure
 EJHS: College Dean
 GMJ: Council of the Ghana Medical Association
 MJZ: Association President
 MM: Society of medicine
 MMJ: The Editorial Board
 SLJBR: Management board chaired by the provost of the College of medicine
v. Does the Editor in chief/Editor receive salary or stipend specifically for the
editorial responsibilities/duties? Yes/no:
 None of the Editors receive salary or stipend specifically for their editorial duties.
18.ScientificIntegrityIssues
a. Does your journal follow the editorial policies related to promoting scientific
integrity of any of the following?
Answer Options
COPE
CSE
ICMJE
WAME
AAM
X
AHS
EJHS
GMJ
MJZ
MM
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
MMJ
SLJBR
X
X
X
22
b. Do you include information about these policies in your journal Instructions
for Authors? Please explain.
 AAM: Yes, CSE recommendations are included in instructions to authors
 AHS: No
 EJHS: Yes, the details are included in the guidelines
 GMJ: Yes, reference is made to ICMJE guidelines
 MJZ: Yes, the Journal's Instructions for Authors were drafted based on ICMJE
guidelines.
 MM: Yes
 MMJ: Yes, outlined in instructions to authors on the webpage
c. Please indicate if your journal has experienced any of the following during the
last 10 years. (Check all that apply.)
Answer Options
Disputes among authors about a
specific paper/article
Duplicate submission of a paper
Duplicate publication of an article
Conflict of interest of authors that
were not reported before an
editorial decision or publication
Allegation of or actual plagiarism
by an author of a submitted paper
Allegation of or actual plagiarism
by an author of a published article
Allegation of or actual falsification
or fabrication by an author of a
submitted paper
Allegation of or actual falsification
or fabrication by an author of a
published article
Author failure to report review and
approval by an ethics committee
for a study included a submitted
paper
Author failure to report informed
consent for study participants or
patients in a submitted paper
Concerns about data ownership or
access to data used for a study
reported in a paper/article
Author allegation of bias on the
part of peer reviewers
Peer reviewer who failed to honor
the confidentiality of a submitted
paper
Author allegation of bias on the
part of editor
AAM
AHS
X
X
X
X
X
EJHS
GMJ
MJZ
MM
MMJ
X
X
X
SLJBR
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
23
d. Have you experienced any other ethical concerns related to your journal?
(please specify)
 None of the journals noted ethical concerns.
e. Please indicate if your journal has experienced external pressure/outside
influence on an editorial decision or a published article from any of the
following. (Check all that apply.)
Answer Options
Academic institution
Research institution
Professional association/society
Funder
Advertiser
Governmental agency
News media
Author(s)
Reader(s)
Author failure to report informed
consent for study participants or
patients in a submitted paper
Concerns about data ownership or
access to data used for a study
reported in a paper/article
Author allegation of bias on the
part of peer reviewers
Peer reviewer who failed to honor
the confidentiality of a submitted
paper
Author allegation of bias on the
part of editor
AAM
AHS
EJHS
GMJ
MJZ
MM
MMJ
SLJBR
X
X
X
X
f. Comments included:
 AHS: We receive emails of potential authors suggesting they could submit manuscripts
and specifically pay the journal for expediting publication. We have a no charge policy.
So we do not accept.
 MMJ: Paper was reviewed and rejected but author lobbied and suggested reviewers. Was
reviewed buy our own and drastically cut down
g. Does your journal have a letters (correspondence) section?
 AAM: No, but intends to begin this
 AHS, EJHS, GMJ, MM, and MMJ all have a letters section
 MJZ: Does not but states that they have published two letters from eminent scholars in
the past decade even though they do not have a dedicated "Letters" section.
 SLJBR: Does not
24
h. Does your journal have a process for handling author appeals to decisions? If
yes, can you explain the process?
 AAM, EJHS, and MMJ have a process in place. MMJ states they discuss it at the editorial
board.
 AHS, MJZ, MM, and SLJBR to not have a process in place
 GMJ: This has not happened as far as current editor has been EIC
i. Other than the professional societies listed (CSE, COPE, ICMJE, WAME), are
there policies on promoting scientific integrity and responsible conduct of
research available to you from the following?
 Academic institution: AHS, EJHS, GMJ, MMJ
 Research institution: EJHS, GMJ, SLJBR, MMJ
 Professional association/society: AAM
 Funder(s): none
 Governmental agency: EJHS, AHS
 Other: MM
j. Please provide the name and link to policies you noted above.
 AAM: Société de Pneumologie de Langue Française; Société de Néphrologie: European
Respiratory Society: International society of Nephrology
 AHS: IRBs conduct training on responsible conduct of research and these feed into the
National Council of Science and Technology policies
 EJHS: Public Universities, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Ministry of Science and
Technology
 GMJ: University of Ghana, Office of Research, Innovation and Development; Noguchi
Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana; Research Directorate,
Ghana Health Service
 MMJ: University of Malawi Publication and Research Committee, College of Medicine
Research and Ethics Committee
 SLJBR: Sierra Leone Scientific and Ethics Review Committee
19.Journalthroughput
a. If you have the software/ability to count the total number of hits on your
journal’s website in a given year, please provide figures for 2014.
 AAM: N/A for 2014 due to technical problems. Data are being collected now in 2015
 AHS: 59,312,228
 EJHS: 35,033
 GMJ: Estimate is 5,600. Google analytics not working well
 MMJ: Using Statscounter; The number of hits on the website was 7730
25
b. ScholarOne Manuscripts enables you to monitor the number of submissions to
the journal, your decision times, time taken to review, etc.; do you make use of
these functionalities on ScholarOne Manuscripts? Has this software enabled
you to make faster decisions on papers?
 AHS, EJHS, GMJ, and MMJ: Yes to both
c. Has the software resulted in a faster peer review process? Have you been able
to determine where the delays occur in the system?
 AHS, EJHS, GMJ, and MMJ: Yes to both
20.Userperceptions
Users’ perceptions of the quality of journals are important. By surveying authors, reviewers, and
readers about specific features of the journal, editors can better understand the strengths and
weaknesses as perceived by their users. This information can then be used to help shape further
improvements to the journals.
a. Has your journal conducted any surveys of its authors, reviewers or readers? If
yes, please explain. If no, what are the barriers to conducting these surveys
(e.g. lack of time, other priorities, unfamiliarity with survey software)?
 AAM: Yes, the ad hoc commission conducted a survey on the visibility and on how to
improve the management of AAM in 2013-2014
 AHS: No, unfamiliarity with software
 EJHS: No, their preparedness is the barrier
 GMJ: No, lack of time to design an appropriate instrument, determine appropriate mode
of administration
 MJZ: No, lack of time and staff to carry out this survey.
 MM: Yes
 MMJ: No, unfamiliarity with survey software
 SLJBR: No, unfamiliarity with survey software
21.Editors’experienceofthePartnershipProject
a. In your opinion, which three aspects of the Partnership Project have been the
most valuable in helping your journal succeed?
 AAM:
o Visit of a AJPP expert for journal audit
o Workshop participation
o Financial support and materiel acquisition
 AHS:
o Internships; Training
o Supporting Management/ICT staff
26





o
EJHS:
o
o
o
GMJ:
o
o
Connecting us to SPI, DOIs, PubMed; Science Citation Index
Partnership with Annals
Financial support for human power and hardware
Annual meetings
Interaction with partners in the project
Contribution of 'northern' partners in expanding the quality and visibility of the
journals
Annual meetings
o
MJZ:
o Knowledge gained on running a Journal: Organization, ethical issues, etc.
o Workshops for authors, reviewers and editors that raise awareness and
enthusiasm
o Software and hardware to facilitate running Journal operations
MM:
o Training authors and readers
o Arising the quality of the journal
o Upgrading journal dissemination
MMJ:
o Capacity Building
o Equipment like hardware and software
o Financial and professional support
b. Do you think the changes/improvements you have observed (if any) are
sustainable in the longer term?
 All those responding reported that yes, absolutely, the changes are sustainable.
 SLJBR did not respond
c. List areas you hope the Partnership Project can further help your journal?
 AAM: Improvement of management of ScholarOne manuscripts, DOIs and Pubmed
central processes, Facilitate inclusion in Pubmed, Medline and other scientific
associations (WAME; Scopus; Embase.), Workshop and training facilitation for young
editors, reviewers and authors, to improve the skills of webmaster and manager
 AHS: Journal Matrices, Training, Business Modelling, Updating equipment
 EJHS: Financial support, Annual meeting, Partnership with annals
 GMJ: Capacity building in editorial matters, Enhanced relationship with partners,
Financial assistance to support journal activities
 MJZ: Principally in operationalizing the ScholarOne system, Advice and assistance in
training reviewers and identifying editors of the future, Continued advice on improving
and utilizing the Journal website.
 MM: Online publication, XML conversion of issue
27

MMJ: Continued training, Upgrading of hardware and software, Creative problem
solving and sustainability discussions
d. Thinking back to what the journal was like before it joined the AJPP, what have
been the three key achievements?
 AAM:
o Office and equipment,
o ISSN printed and online, financial support,
o ScholarOne manuscript in process and participation to workshops
 AHS:
o Indexing in PubMed/Science Citation Index
o Higher Visibility
o Sustainability
 EJHS:
o Indexing
o Developed Website
o Frequency increased from two to four times a year
 GMJ:
o Indexing in Medline
o Regular issues
o Electronic submission and peer-review system
 MJZ:
o The re-organization and formalization of the Editorial Board functions complete
with a formal contract with members.
o Improvement in the quality and content of the Journal.
o The establishment of the Journal website
 MM:
o Regional francophone journal
o Indexed journal
o Worldwide spread of journal
 MMJ:
o Getting indexed on ISI
o Being indexed on PubMed
o Becoming Malawi's leading academic journal
e. What is your most important challenge for the journal's future?
 AAM: More visibility in the continent and the world and sustainability of all the
acquirements
 AHS: Developing a viable economic model yet keep open access
 EJHS: Business plan development
 GMJ: Sustainability plan
 MJZ: Sustaining participation of the medical community in activities of the Journal as
authors and reviewers.
28

MMJ: Independent financial sustainability
f. Do you have a recommendation for a new journal/editor to join AJPP? If so,
please provide the title of the journal and name of the editor:
 AHS: East African Medical Journal, Dr. Lore
 EJHS: Ethiopian Journal of Health Development, Prof. Damen Hailemariam
 MJZ: Central African Journal of Medicine out of the University of Zimbabwe.
 MMJ: Still considering
g. Other Comments Shared
 AHS: Apologies for the delay. Intermittent internet connection was a nuisance for us.
 GMJ: The link takes you to sheets previously completed by other journals. There is no
provision to stop, save and come back to complete.
 MJZ: The principal problem with effectively managing the Journal is the lack of full time
journal staff. The success or failure is dependent on the whims of the Publisher in office
and the goodwill of editorial team that gives its service voluntarily.
 MM: Need of help to have a lecturer for using francophone version of ScholarOne (onsite
training will be very appreciate)
22.Journalperformanceindicatorsfor2014
a. How many total manuscripts were submitted to your journal in 2014?
 AAM: 97
 AHS: 1145
 EJHS: 382
 GMJ: 102
 MJZ: Info not available at present
 MM: 159
 MMJ: 143
 SLJBR: 22
b. In 2014 what percentage of manuscripts were submitted via the following:
Answer Options
AAM
AHS
EJHS
GMJ
MJZ
MM
MMJ
SLJBR
% hard copy by hand
% hard copy by mail
% hardcopy by fax
% disk copy by mail
% e-copy by e-mail
% e-copy by website submission
system
1%
0%
0%
0%
99%
99%
0%
0%
0%
1%
0%
0%
0%
0%
3%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
100%
38%
0%
0%
0%
62%
0%
0%
0%
0%
20%
0%
0%
0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
97%
100%
0%
0%
80%
0%
29
Submissions and acceptance statistics for 2014 (including all types of
manuscripts.):
c. What percentage of manuscripts submitted were from your home country?
(provide number)
 AAM: 75%
 AHS: 12 (Question: is this 12% of 1145?)
 EJHS: 24.6% (91)
 GMJ: 49% (50)
 MM: 46 (73)
 MMJ: 101 (Question: 101/143 = 71%, correct?)
 SLJBR: 80% (16)
d. How many manuscripts were accepted? (provide number)
 AAM: 60% (Question: 60% of 97 =58, correct?)
 AHS:150
 EJHS: 62
 GMJ:42
 MM:67
 MMJ:40
 SLJBR:8
e. How many articles did you publish? (provide number)
 AAM: 0 (2014 issues are delayed and will be available the second half of 2015)
 AHS:162
 EJHS:66
 GMJ:70
 MM:49
 MMJ:35
 SLJBR:6
f. How many issues did you publish? (provide number)
 AAM: 0 (2014 issues are delayed and will be available the second half of 2015)
 AHS: 4
 EJHS: 5
 GMJ: 4
 MM: 4
 MMJ: 4
 SLJBR: 1
30
g. What was your acceptance rate?
 AAM: 65%
 AHS: 19.8%
 EJHS: 17.2%
 GMJ: 37.5%
 MM: 42%
 MMJ: 40%
Published pages and timing for 2014:
h. What was the average number of editorial pages published per issue? (i.e.
excluding advertising pages)
 AHS: 273 (Question: This number seems too high; need number of pages per journal
issue.)
 EJHS: 1 (Question: Need number of pages per journal issue.)
 GMJ: 1 (Question: Need number of pages per journal issue.)
 MM: 4/56
 MMJ: 50
i. How many citations did your journal receive to articles published in 2014 in
Google Scholar?
Answers below provided via search of Google Scholar on June 3, 2015, for articles cited by
each journal in Google Scholar. Will need to follow-up with a librarian to provide numbers of
citations to articles published by these journals in Google Scholar.
 AAM: 39
 AHS: 1730
 EJHS: 262
 GMJ: 715
 MM: 362
 MMJ: 682
 MZJ: 558
 SLJBR: 72
j. What was the average number of days from submission to acceptance?
 AAM: 2 weeks to 3 months
 AHS: 26.4
 EJHS: 80
 GMJ: 80
 MM: 45-260
 MMJ: 40
31
k. What was the average number of days from acceptance to online publication?
 AHS: 21
 EJHS: 35
 GMJ: 90
 MM: 15-80
 MMJ: 22
l. What was the average number of days from acceptance to print publication?
 EJHS: 90
 GMJ: 120
 MM: 3-12 months
 MMJ: 40
m. What was the number of days between when last issue sent to printer and when
last issue printed?
 AAM: 2-3 weeks
 EJHS: 80
 GMJ: 30
 MM: 3 months
 MMJ: 90
n. What is the year, volume, and issue number of the most recent issue you have
posted online?
 AAM: 2013, Vol 7, issue 1
 AHS: 2015, Vol 15, issue 2 (June 2015)
 EJHS: 2015, Vol 25, issue 2
 GMJ: 2015, Vol 49, issue 1
 MJZ: 2014, Vol 41, number 1
 MM: 2015, Vol 30
 MMJ: 2015, Vol 27, issue 1
 SLJBR: 2014, Vol 6
o. In 2014 what proportion of communication with your authors was by mail,
email and phone?
Answer Options
AAM
AHS
EJHS
GMJ
MJZ
MM
MMJ
SLJBR
% by mail
% by e-mail
% by phone
% by other
0%
>90%
0%
0%
1%
98%
.8%
.2%
0%
100%
0%
0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
6%
58%
~40%
0%
0%
98%
2%
0%
0%
90%
10%
0%
32
Regarding research articles published in 2014:
p. How many research papers were submitted to your journal?
 AAM: 9
 AHS: 1,074
 EJHS: 262
 GMJ: 102
 MM: 146
 MMJ: 128
q. How many research submissions were from your home country?
 AAM: 9
 AHS: 108
 EJHS: 79
 GMJ: 50
 MJZ: 100%
 MM: 46
 MMJ: 97
r. How many manuscripts were sent out for peer review?
 AAM: 26
 AHS: 750
 EJHS: 203
 GMJ: 102
 MJZ: 100%
 MM: 23
 MMJ: 117
s. How many research articles were published?
 AHS: 140
 EJHS: 50
 GMJ: 35
 MM: 46
 MMJ: 26
t. How many of the published research articles were from your home country?
 AHS: 24
 EJHS: 29
 GMJ: 24
 MJZ: 100%
 MM: 26
 MMJ: 22
33
u. What percent of the published research articles were from your home country?
 AHS: 9%
 EJHS: 44%
 GMJ: 68.6%
 MJZ: 100%
 MM: 38%
 MMJ: 85%
v. What was the average number of days from submission to first decision for the
research manuscripts you received?
 AAM: 15-45
 AHS: 28
 EJHS: 7
 GMJ: 53
 MMJ: 9
w. What was the average number of days from acceptance to online publication
for research articles?
 AHS: 21
 EJHS: 35
 GMJ: 90
 MM: 15 -80
 MMJ: 40
x. What was the average number of days from acceptance to print publication for
research articles?
 EJHS: 90
 GMJ: 120
 MMJ: 90
Regarding Peer reviewers:
y. Do you have an in-house list or database of peer reviewers? If you do have a list
of in-house peer reviewers, how many and in what format (i.e., paper or
electronic database)?
All but SLJBR have an in-house list or database of peer reviewers. Quantity and format are
listed below.
 AAM: 9, electronic
 AHS: 850, Paper/electronic (partly)
 EJHS: 250, electronic
 GMJ: 200+ (71 used in 2014), electronic
 MJZ: electronic
 MM: 86, both (paper & electronic)
 MMJ: 16, electronic
34
z. Regarding peer review, what proportion of your reviewers is international
(outside your country)?
 AAM: 10%
 AHS: 90%
 EJHS: 19%
 GMJ: 22.5% (2014)
 MJZ: Less than 5%
 MM: 20%
 MMJ: 10%
 SLJBR: 20%
aa. What is the average number of days from commissioning to completing a peer
review?
 AAM: 4 weeks
 AHS: 19
 EJHS: 25
 GMJ: 63
 MJZ: 6 weeks
 MM: 10-120 days
 MMJ: 21
 SLJBR: 4 weeks
bb.In 2014, what proportion of communication with your reviewers was by mail,
email, telephone?
Answer Options
AAM
AHS
EJHS
GMJ
MJZ
MM
MMJ
SLJBR
% by mail
% by e-mail
% by phone
% by other
0%
>90%
0%
0%
0%
99%
.8%
.1%
0%
100%
0%
0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
0%
46%
30%
24%
0%
100%
0%
0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
cc. Have you introduced a scoring system to assess the quality of reviews received
(e.g. 0=very poor, 4= excellent) to help inform you whether to use a reviewer
again? If No, do you plan to introduce such a system?
 AAM: No, but plan to do that
 AHS: Yes.
 EJHS: No. Yes, plan to
 GMJ: Yes
 MJZ: No. Yes, plan to.
 MM: No
 MMJ: No. Yes, plan to.
 SLJBR: No
35