EDITORIAL
The Spirit of the Journal of Pulmonology
Geraldo Lorenzi-Filho
Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Pulmonology
The intent behind any scientific journal is to maintain interconnections among members of a community that shares common interests and to hold that community together.1 The current issue of the Journal of Pulmonology (JP) divulges the names of the ad hoc reviewers who contributed significantly to the success of the JP. Scientific publications are based upon the concept of peer review. This is notable, since it means that the entire scientific community directly contributes to the quality of the final publication. Without reviewers, there would be no scientific journals; they forge the spirit of any journal. The JP has an impressive editorial staff, all of whom have worked tirelessly. Over the two last years, however, the number of articles submitted to JP has increased exponentially. Indexing the JP in the SciELO database2 and translating the entire journal into English (www.jornaldepneumologia.com.br)3 were decisive in taking the JP to a new level. Since a figure is worth a thousand words, we have constructed graphic representations of the speed and efficiency with which the JP has grown. Table 1 summarizes everything the JP published in 2002 and 2003. The most significant fact is the 50% increase in the number of original articles published in 2003. Table 2 shows some data that are not typically accessible. With Internet support, we significantly decreased not only the average time from submission to publication but also the lag time between submission of the article and the first peer review. This faster pace set by the reviewers did not compromise the quality of the reviews. Much to the contrary, the reviewers have become more demanding, and there has been a tendency to reject a greater percentage of submissions. The data reveal that the JP achieved not only quantity but also quality. The reviewer opinions are, overwhelmingly, constructive scientific comments that enhance the final quality of the published articles. The amount of work upon which a scientific publication the size of the JP depends is not trivial. For instance, we currently have 54 articles under review. On behalf of the entire community, we want to thank the reviewers who carry out this altruistic and anonymous work. They embody the true spirit of the JP.
REFERENCES
1.Tobin MJ. The role of a journal in a scientific controversy. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2003;168:511.
2.Queluz THAT. Admissão do Jornal de Pneumologia na SciELO Brasil: uma vitória com novos desafios. J Pneumol 2002;28(1):X.
3.Lorenzi-Filho G. O sonho dos mil gatos. J Pneumol 2002;28:305-6.
Publication Dates
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Publication in this collection
15 June 2004 -
Date of issue
Dec 2003
