Saif Benjaafar, University of Minnesota

1
Saif Benjaafar, University of Minnesota

• Department Editor, IIE Transactions
• Editorial Board, MSOM
• Associate Editor, IEEE Transactions on Automation
  Science and Engineering
• Associate Editor, IJFMS
• Associate Editor, JMS

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The Review Process

• Editor in Chief or Department Editor makes an
  initial assessment of fit
• Associate Editor makes an initial assessment of
  contribution
• 2 or more referees provide detailed reviews
• Associate Editor summarizes referee reports and
  provides additional comments
• Department Editor communicates review decision

3
Length of Review

• 3 to 6 months but also up to one year more
• Submit and check status online
• Allow for sufficient time before communicating
  with Editor (but do it after 6 months)

4
The Review Decision

• Accept
• Minor revision
• Major revision
• Reject

5
Handling the Revision

• Read reviews carefully (and read between the
  lines)
• Thoroughly and comprehensively responds to all
  review comments
• You may disagree with reviewers, but do not argue
  with them
• Resubmit revised manuscript careful summary of
  responses be grateful for the feedback

6
Handling Rejections

• Papers are rejected for
• lack of fit
• lack of contribution
• incorrectness
• incompleteness
• poor presentation
• poor writing

7
Handling Rejections

• Take advantage of the feedback to move ahead with
  your research
• Modify your paper and resubmit elsewhere
• Insights into standards and expectations at
  various journals

8
Handling Differences of Opinion

• Disagreements about accuracy are easiest to
  resolve
• Disagreements about contribution are the most
  difficult to resolve
• DE and AE can arbitrate but referees (current/new
  ones) must concur
• Risks for your reputation