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, …