Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences

Published by : PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL PUBLICATIONS

ISSN 1681-715X

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ORIGINAL ARTICLE

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Volume 22

April - June 2006

Number 2


 

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ONLINE EDITION OF A JOURNAL:
A great source of manuscripts & potential regional cooperation

Maqbool H. Jafary, Shaukat Ali Jawaid

Abstract

Background: Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences (Pak J Med Sci) formerly known as ‘Specialist’, is a quarterly journal, published since 1984. It is indexed by EMBASE/Excerpta Medica and WHO Extra MED but not by Medline. Even though the journal is being published regularly for the last 22 years, its online full-text edition was introduced only in late 2002.

Objective: We have assessed the impact of online edition of PJMS on the number of manuscripts received internationally, along with the improvement in the visibility of the journal during the last three years. The findings are presented here along with the proposals for the potential cooperation between the countries of the region.

Results: We started receiving increased number of manuscripts internationally in 2003 and this gratifying trend continues even today. In 2003, we received 37 manuscripts which increased to 62 in 2004 and 133 in 2005 (an increase of + 300% vs. 2003). Initially, the authors from 10 countries were involved. Now this number has increased to 22. The geographical spread is as wide as four continents. Online submission of articles has also increased from within the country during this period. Taking Iran as an example of the contributing countries (as the authors from Iran have been our major contributors), we received 13 manuscripts in 2003, increasing to 21 in 2004 and 74 in 2005.The acceptance rate for the publication of articles from Iran has varied from 30 - 47% each year. Positive attitude of editorial staff and the helpful approach on the part of reviewers has facilitated the increase in the acceptance rate.This shows regional co-operation.

Manuscripts from any country can have deficiencies. Those received from Iran have had their share of discrepancies. These discrepancies have ranged from problems with poor English, to inconsistency of format and quality of references and disregard for the ‘instruction to authors’. Significant delays occur in the processing of articles due to too much time taken by the authors to give the feedback to the queries of reviewers and the return of proof- read articles, amongst many other elements.

Conclusions: We feel that online edition of a journal not only helps to increase the visibility of the journal but also proves to be a great source of manuscripts, even without indexing by Medline, provided the regularity and standard of the journal is maintained. In addition, it is an important potential source of coordination between the regional countries to work together for the training of writers, reviewers and editors to improve the standard of medical journalism, and thus improve the standards of medical journals in the region.

Key Words: Online Journals, Manuscripts, Regional Cooperation.

Pak J Med Sci April - June 2006 Vol. 22 No. 2 107 - 109


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