Because you are reading this, the Journal of Infusion Nursing must be important to you. The articles that appear within the Journal help keep you informed about the latest topics in the infusion therapy specialty. The healthcare professionals who write these articles carefully research the literature, conduct original research, offer case studies, or provide professional development information. The quality of their work must be thoroughly evaluated because its content is used to support clinical practices and enhance positive patient outcomes. Therefore, the Journal of Infusion Nursing, like a majority of scholarly journals, uses the mechanism of peer review to guarantee the integrity of an author's work.
The Journal's editorial process calls for double-blind reviews, whereby the authors and reviewers are unable to see each other's names or affiliations, ensuring a fair evaluation. According to a survey conducted by an international consulting company, the double-blind review process was seen as the most effective by 71% of respondents.1
Journal of Infusion Nursing Reviewers
The Editorial Review Board is composed primarily of certified infusion nurses, pharmacists, and physicians. Reviewers must have specific expertise in areas directly related to the specialty practice of infusion nursing. Advanced degrees and professional certification are preferable, but not required. Reviewers have told us they enjoy reading and evaluating the work of their colleagues. They enjoy the opportunity to review important new research and help authors work toward publication in the Journal.
Members of the Journal's Editorial Review Board review the clinical content of manuscripts, evaluating each article's appropriateness for publication and suggesting revisions that would strengthen it. Reviewers are not required to address copyediting concerns such as grammar, punctuation, and style. However, when the wording of a manuscript directly affects the presentation of the subject matter, reviewers are asked to address this in their review.
The Journal editorial staff tries to match manuscripts with reviewers' areas of expertise while dividing the responsibilities as equally as possible among members of the Editorial Review Board. Reviewers may decline a request for a review based on scheduling constraints or lack of insight on a particular subject.
Benefits of Membership on the Editorial Review Board
Editorial reviewers are volunteers who contribute their professional knowledge and experience to the Journal. Membership is nonremunerative, but there are other benefits to being an active member of the Review Board. The experience of reviewing the clinical content of our manuscripts is invaluable to infusion professionals who wish to be published in professional journals in the future or who want to continue their education by reading and reviewing articles about the most recent advances in infusion therapy. Many reviewers volunteer for the board because they want to play their part as a member of the academic community.
The Infusion Nurses Certification Corporation (INCC) recently instituted a new benefit for actively participating on the Journal's Editorial Review Board. The INCC will award a maximum of 3 CRNI(R) recertification units during any one 3-year recertification period. The recertification units are awarded based on the approval of a written request, submitted to the INCC.
Of course, without authors there are no manuscripts to publish; however, peer reviewers are just as vital to the success of a publication. Your comments and suggestions strengthen an author's work. As we seek to publish more evidence-based research, the reviewer's role will be crucial as we identify the science that supports our practice. Remember, scholarly activity such as reviewing is a critical component of our professional development.
So please consider joining the Editorial Review Board. The Journal needs reviewers who can provide a fresh perspective, as well as help the editorial staff shorten the time from manuscript submission to publication. Your Journal depends on you!!
REFERENCE