Developments at OEM

In March 2004 we wrote about OEM and its progress.1 We highlighted some of the successes of the Journal, including the variety and quality of content, the development of its website, its increasing international reach, and the ever-growing number of submissions. We also warned of some of the challenges, including the need to set a stricter rejection rate, and shared some our ambitions including the desire to render quicker decisions to authors, to reduce publication delays, and to promote a forum of discussion and debate.

One year into the tenure of the new editorial team (11 months allowing for the production cycle) it seems timely to give a progress report. The key messages, in so far as we can judge, are: “moving usefully forwards”, “building momentum”, and “always more to do”!

As foreshadowed last time, acceptance rates have fallen from 40% to 29% for all articles and 24% for peer-review primary research papers. This move was forced on us by the 60% increase in submissions in 2003 compared with 2001.

As hoped then, …