It is now time to make an assessment of what was the year 2010 for the PJP… Considering the articles sent to the PJP until the end of August 2010, from a total of 96 the rejection rate was 52 % well above the figures of 2008 and 2009;1 this was due to the new editorial policy widely described in the Editorial of the issue nº 3 of PJP of 2010.1 We will reflect more deeply into this data in a next Editorial when the year has finished.
As you can see in the Figure 1, we have been watching the publication of a growing number of articles, compared to 1998 and 2003. In 2010 we published 29 original articles, 7 editorials, 19 review articles, 24 case reports, 2 special articles, 1 case series and 1 case report discussion. In relation to the geographical distribution of these articles, 68 came from Portuguese centers, 14 come from Brazil (maintaining the previous tendency), 1 from Spain, 1 from Italy and one from Greece (the Editorial of the Past-president of the ERS). What is significant is the progressive increase of the original articles and especially of the case reports. Considering the latter, as we have reported previously 1 in 2011 there will be a significant reduction of its number so that we will not reach no more than 12 per year. The reduction in the number of articles in each issue, with the main objective of increase in its quality has also advantages in terms of IF, because it will decrease the denominator…
So we think that we have been reaching the objectives that we initially set 1 namely with a quicker and more transparent processing of the manuscripts, with constructive and talented revisions.
Although the great majority of reviewers delivered in time and with value their tasks, unavoidably some of the members of the Editorial Board never sent us their revisions in spite of all the e-mailed reminders. Some authors, reflecting about the response rate of reviewers conclude that the lack of time, incentive and recognition are responsible for declining to review.2 Concerning the two last aspects, in the nº 6 issue of 2010 of the PJP, we publicly acknowledge the work of the reviewers3 and Elsevier, after each revision accomplished will give access Scopus (the world's largest abstract and citation database of research information and quality internet sources) for de 30 days.
The rate of article submission made us even invite foreign external reviewers that also help us reaching our goal to speed all the revision process. With the non-responding editors we will not count in the future and to not overload some of its members (to whom we asked to revise 4 articles/year) from this issue onward we will extend our group of thematic editors, with the creation of the Respiratory Physiotherapy group (see Editorial Board). More groups can be created depending on the article demand.
Once again we wish to thank all the reviewers for the time and effort in reviewing the manuscripts. Your expertise has been a major value for our Journal!3
Since the last issue (nº 6 of 2010) we have been publishing with Elsevier a paper version of the PJP mainly in Portuguese. This version has clear environmental advantages and is globally distributed to the members of the PSP. Yet, in the future it will be limited to the ones that actively ask for it. Although we care as much for the paper edition of the journal we would like to know who will win in the future: Dr. Paper or Mr. Web?4
The electronic version will allow the reduction of the page numbers of the original articles in the paper version, as like it happened with the article of Constant et al in this issue5 it will be possible to attach, appendices, video clips or supplements online. This strategy, if pursued, may increase the number of published original articles.
While we write this editorial, two important moments are approaching in the PJP history: in October 2010 manuscript processing through Elsevier Editorial System™ (EES) will be launched and in mid 2011 we will know the IF “magic number”… This new accomplishment reached in Portugal by one only journal (Acta Reumatológica Portuguesa) in June 20106 demands new challenges for the future…
Normally the first IF that a journal gets is low, placing it in a kind of third division of its area. We are sure that 2012 IF, consequence of the new change in the PJP will be better and we all can contribute to the future IF Increment!
Another advance from the issue nº 2 of 2011 onward will be the possibility of publication “ahead of print”. So, after the acceptance of the final versions (English and Portuguese) the article will appear in the next available online issue… We think that all the authors (especially those young researchers in the phase of preparing their curricula) will appreciate this innovation for it will make their investigation visible earlier!
In this number associated with two original articles on passive smoking5 and smoking behaviour7 Lourdes Barradas, one of our thematic reviewers writes a very insightful Editorial on the environmental exposure to tobacco smoke in children.8
Closing our journal we continue with the space dedicated to photography. This time we publish the face of the campaign of the past World Spirometry Day that gave an international recognition to the PSP! This media contribution is mirrored in the Editorial by the President of the Portuguese Society of Pulmonology who also makes an outline of the Year of the Lung in Portugal.9
In the meantime we hope that you value this new issue of the PJP that was so delightful to shape!
