published on behalf of the british society of soil science
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Published on behalf of the
British Society of
Soil Science
Soil Use andManagement
EuropeanJournal ofSoil Science
What is this session about? targeting future (and current) authors understanding journal policies and processes not a guarantee for paper acceptance a guide to help you optimize your time and efforts (and ours!!)
Welcome from EJSS Welcome from EJSS and SUMand SUM
Hubert Tunney and Steve Jarvis
Soil Use andManagement
EuropeanJournal ofSoil Science
The aims of the two journals The aims of the two journals
SUM focuses on scientific principles to
understand and solve soil problems with crop production and environmental issues.
provides background scientific evidence for management techniques to achieve sustainable use of land.
papers take a broad view of 'use' and 'management’ as well as concern with technique development for monitoring soils
international relevance
Soil Use andManagement
EuropeanJournal ofSoil Science
The aims of the two journals The aims of the two journals EJSS
international quality, innovative science
advances in understanding of soil processes
developments in advanced techniques topics include:
biological/chemical//physical interactions carbon and organic matter development of statistical and spatial
distribution methods soil variability, distribution and
development
Soil Use andManagement
EuropeanJournal ofSoil Science
Why are we doing this?Why are we doing this?For the two journalsFor the two journals::
35 (EJSS) and 19 (SUM)% of our MSs are rejected immediately (2011)
only 30% are published
very large regional variation
Soil Use andManagement
EuropeanJournal ofSoil Science
Origin of papers sent to Origin of papers sent to SUM & EJSS (%) SUM & EJSS (%) (2011)(2011)
SUM EJSSChina: 18 13
India: 9 8
UK: 7 6
Rest of
Europe: 32 37
USA +
Canada: 5 8
Australasia: 4 5
Rest of the
world: 25 23
Soil Use andManagement
EuropeanJournal ofSoil Science
Why such a large rejection Why such a large rejection rate?rate?
wrong topic no novelty/innovation, local relevance
only poor science/poor execution/poor
experimental design poor interpretation and analysis plagiarism/double publishing too applied (EJSS) -> SUM too ‘processy’ (SUM)->EJSS
Soil Use andManagement
EuropeanJournal ofSoil Science
Other common problems Other common problems (may be possible to rectify)(may be possible to rectify)
too long (<5000 SUM: <6500 EJSS) too short!!! too descriptive- no hypothesis English presentation does not meet formatting style or quality of journals
Soil Use andManagement
EuropeanJournal ofSoil Science
Title may be a clue 1. Title may be a clue 1. Inappropriate articles for SUMInappropriate articles for SUM
Impacts of soil slaking and drying on release and retention of cations during desalinization - too processy
Topography and water regimen influence on phosphorus desorption .. semi-arid soils- local relevance
Impact of sewage sludge amendment on heavy metal in soils of soybean ..- environmental survey
Soil Use andManagement
EuropeanJournal ofSoil Science
Title may be a clue 2. EJSSTitle may be a clue 2. EJSS
“Response of ground nuts to fertilizer and manure addition in North Tawtonia in 2011” by Jarvis and TunneyIs it novel/innovative?
Possibly but....Is it too applied?
YesNew basic/process information?
NoOf general international interest
No (North Tawtonia)Adequate experimental design?
Probably not (one year)
Soil Use andManagement
EuropeanJournal ofSoil Science
How does the editorial How does the editorial system operate?system operate?
1. Initial review (Eds): No immediate reject reject Yes Associate Ed. & refs
2
2. Review No rejectreject Yes revision
3
3. Revision Reject but re-submit 1
Major revision 4
Minor revision 4
4. Review RejectReject
Major revision 3
Minor revision 3
Accept 5
5. Editor in Chief Final review and edit
Questions to authors
Send to publishers
Soil Use andManagement
EuropeanJournal ofSoil Science
What to do before you start What to do before you start
Ask yourself:
is the experimental approach and design good?
have you consulted others: statisticians, statisticians, statisticians....?
does the work meet the main criteria for the journal .......?
did you think carefully about publication before you started?
Soil Use andManagement
EuropeanJournal ofSoil Science
For EJSS:For EJSS: is it good science (this includes experimental design and techniques)? is it new or novel? does it improve significantly our understanding of soil processes? is it interesting to an international audience? is analysis of the data adequate and appropriate to the investigation?
Soil Use andManagement
EuropeanJournal ofSoil Science
For SUM:For SUM: is it good science (this includes experimental design and techniques)? is it new or novel? does it contribute to the management and use of soils? is analysis of the data adequate and appropriate to the investigation?
Soil Use andManagement
EuropeanJournal ofSoil Science
What to do before you writeWhat to do before you write
read guidance to authors very carefully (go to websites; author guidelines)
look at slide shows on websitelook at example paper: website
or recent issue (on-line or print)- structure
- figures and tables
- references
- statistics
Soil Use andManagement
EuropeanJournal ofSoil Science
Statistics and soilsStatistics and soilsExcellent series of papers by Webster: guidance on the use and presentation of statistical methods and results in soil science:
– SUM 5 (2) and EJSS 48 (3): regression
– EJSS 52 (2): statistics to support soil research and their presentation
– EJSS 58 (1): analysis of variance, inference multiple comparisons and sampling effects
Soil Use andManagement
EuropeanJournal ofSoil Science
Statistics and soilsStatistics and soilsSome highlights. 1Some highlights. 1
sampling design – details given? pseudo-replication? clear presentation of results? See
examples by Webster CV – should be restricted to
variables with an absolute zero ‘Treatment A yielded significantly
more than treatment B (P = 0.05)’ – essential to also quote mean values
overall, better to give Standard Errors of the mean rather than Standard Deviations
Soil Use andManagement
EuropeanJournal ofSoil Science
Statistics and soilsStatistics and soils
Some highlights. 2Some highlights. 2. .
regression – give the regression equation, S.E. and value of R2
ANOVA – must include replication and randomization
importance of data transformations present numerical results to 3
significant figures
Soil Use andManagement
EuropeanJournal ofSoil Science
What to do when you writeWhat to do when you write
follow the recommended style, length & format
check references: precision & numbers
ask colleagues to read your MS
for non-native English speakers – get guidance and help from a native English speaker
Soil Use andManagement
EuropeanJournal ofSoil Science
Example of typical structure of a SUM Example of typical structure of a SUM paperpaper
Phosphorus fertilizer form affects phosphorus
loss to waterways: a paired catchment study
Abstract
Introduction:
Materials and methodsSite and measurements
Treatments
Statistical analyses
Results
Discussion
Conclusions
Soil Use andManagement
EuropeanJournal ofSoil Science
Example of the structure of a EJSS paperExample of the structure of a EJSS paperStock, turnover time and accumulation of organic matter in bulk and density fractions of a Podzol soil
Summary
Introduction
Materials and methods
Site description
Sampling
Analyses
Density fractionation
Turnover time of organic carbon
Statistics
Results
Discussion
Conclusions
Soil Use andManagement
EuropeanJournal ofSoil Science
What to do when the What to do when the decision is made 1.decision is made 1.
Reject: outright/immediate rejection
little chance- accept decision
later rejection after full review if the advice from Assoc. Ed
and referees is solid – accept decision
contact Ed in Chief ONLY if you have evidence that the reviewers are wrong
don’t rant at the EiC!
Soil Use andManagement
EuropeanJournal ofSoil Science
What to do when the What to do when the decision is made 2.decision is made 2.
Revision: take each recommendation
very seriously - do not ignore explain your reactions and
changes carefully provide concrete evidence if
you ‘dispute’ decisions:
“We are right” is not good enough
Soil Use andManagement
EuropeanJournal ofSoil Science
Final comments 1. Final comments 1.
pressure to publish and the work involved is great 300 - 350+ MS per year
do not take short cuts our AEs & referees will find you
out!
take advice read decision letters and
review reports very carefully
Soil Use andManagement
EuropeanJournal ofSoil Science
Final comments 2. Final comments 2.
If all this advice is followed: improved chances of MSs
being accepted continued flow of high quality
papers improved international
representation of good work more satisfaction for you an easier life for all of us!!!
Soil Use andManagement
EuropeanJournal ofSoil Science
Thank you for coming and Thank you for coming and for listening: for listening:
Please do ask questions
Do not hesitate to contact us if you wish any initial guidance on the potential suitability of a paper:
.. and we look forward to receiving your papers.
Published on behalf of the
British Society of
Soil Science
For more information go to web sites:EJSS - http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1365-2389
SUM - http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1475-2743
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