Decision Categories

The editors and referees classify their decisions on manuscripts into five categories.  Below is an explanation of each type of decision

• Accept--The manuscript should be prepared for publication using the guidelines for final preparation of manuscripts.  The JME commits to publish the manuscript if it is resubmitted with appropriate editorial/style changes in a timely manner.  The last submission fee will be refunded on acceptance of the final manuscript.

• Accept with minor revisions--The manuscript is basically acceptable, but there are small revisions that must be made.  The manuscript should be prepared for publication using the style guidelines while making the changes requested by the editor.  Generally the paper will be reviewed by the editor and not returned to the referee.  The JME commits to publish the paper if it is resubmitted with appropriate changes in a timely manner.  The last submission fee will be refunded on acceptance of the final manuscript.

• Accept/Revise--Revisions are necessary for the manuscript to be acceptable for publication.  If these are accomplished to the editor's and the referee's satisfaction and in a timely manner, then manuscript publication is anticipated but not guaranteed.  Generally, it is worthwhile for authors to make use of the JME style guidelines for final preparation of manuscripts.  Revised manuscripts must be accompanied by a submission fee, which will be refunded if the revision proves acceptable.

• Reject/Revise--The manuscript shows promise, but major revisions are necessary for manuscript to be of publishable quality.  Given that revisions are subtle to execute, the author should recognize that many manuscripts in this category will not ultimately be published by the JME.  To avoid a long process of multiple revisions, a revised manuscript must address the concerns of the referee and editor sufficiently to move it up to the Accept/Revise category or it will be rejected.  Revised manuscripts must be accompanied by a submission fee. 

• Reject--Major revisions are necessary for manuscript to be of publishable quality.  Resubmission of manuscripts in this category is not encouraged by the editors.  Authors are advised to submit revisions to another journal, since editorial decisions reflect, in part, the Editor's perspectives on what is interesting as well as how a particular research project is executed.  This means that there will be many papers, which may well be technically correct, that will not be accepted for publication in the JME.