Before You Submit

Choose the best journal you think might accept your paper. Aim high! The more general the journal, the better. The more subscribers, the better. The higher the rejection rate, the better. The higher the impact factor, the better.

Impact factor: the average number of times articles published in the previous two years (e.g., 2006-2007) were cited in the most current full year (e.g. 2008).

Bem (2000)

Journal Impact

Nature 28.751

Science 26.372

Behavioral and Brain Science 17.462

Annual Review of Psychology 13.400

Trends in Cognitive Science 12.421

Psychological Bulletin 10.905

Psychological Review 7.803

American Psychologist 6.967

Personality and Social Psychology Review 4.763

Journal of Abnormal Psychology 4.684

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 4.505

Psychological Science 4.251

Before You Submit

If you are unsure whether your manuscript is appropriate for a journal, send the Editor an email and abstract first. If the Editor says yes, you have your

foot in the door. If the Editor says no, you saved yourself

months of precious time.

Bem (2000)

Before You Submit

It is difficult to edit your own writing because you know what you meant to say and you understand the omitted steps.

Get critiques from several colleagues (simulates the review process) If they find something unclear, don’t argue with

them. They are right! The writing is unclear. Avoid the temptation to correct them verbally.

Make the corrections in the manuscript in writing. Your colleagues will be a lot nicer than the

reviewers will be.Bem (2000)

Before You Submit

Be sure to follow the journals Guide to Authors (e.g., word count, abstract length)

If you don’t know the journal well, read some articles from it.

Polish it, proof read it, then submit it! Don’t expect reviewers to clean up your writing. Reviewers look for excuses to reject your paper.

One big excuse is that it was poorly written Good writing can go a long way in terms of

getting your papers published.

Bem (2000)

Review Process

Editor selects 1 to 5 anonymous reviewersManuscript under review 1 to 6 months.

Do follow-up study during this time!Decision letters

Accept Accept subject to revisions Revise and resubmit Reject

Please rate the manuscript on the following scales:POOR=0 MARGINAL=1 ADEQUATE=2 EXCELLENT=31) __2___ Subject matter appropriate for Psychological Science

2) __2__ Importance of subject matter generally (if different)

3) __1__ Attention to relevant literature

4) __1__ Design of research

5) __2___ Analysis of data

6) __1__ Interpretation of results; discussion; conclusions

7) __1__ Clarity of presentation

8) __3__ Length, succinctness

9) __3__ Use of space for tables and figures

Recommendation: _____ Accept as is _____ Revise and resubmit

(use very sparingly)

_____ Accept subject to revisions ___X__ Reject

Review Process

Rejection rates are generally 85-90%If you get a “revise and resubmit” decision,

rejoice!If you get a reject, but think you can

address the concerns (e.g., by conducting a new study), revise the manuscript and beg the Editor to reconsider it.

Galleys (this is the time to make changes).Page proofs (only typos corrected)

Tell the Masses!

Ordinary people do not read psychology journals. (My own Ph.D. students don’t even read my articles unless I force them to.)

Write a press release to describe the results of your research in very simple, short statements. Use “sound bites.”

Your university might have a press person who writes press releases. If so, find out who it is. If not, write your own press release.