Journal of Park and Recreation Administration
Forms for Associate Editors: Review Procedures
Listed below are the steps of the review process for manuscripts.
- Manuscripts
received in the editor's office are initially reviewed to determine if
the subject matter falls within the general boundaries of the Journal of Park and Recreation Administration.
Papers are also checked against the guidelines for contributors to
determine if other requirements have been met (e.g., four copies of the
manuscript, an abstract, proper format).
- If a manuscript passes these initial
tests, it is sent to an associate editor whose background, experience,
and interest match the content of the manuscript. Materials sent to
associate editors include:
- An electronic copy of the manuscript.
- An electronic copy of the cover letter (Word) to outside reviewers.
- An electronic copy of the evaluation sheet (Word) and instructions to the reviewers (to be completed by both the associate editor and the two reviewers).
- An electronic
copy of JPRA review comment sheet
(Word),
which the editor will forward to the author.
- The
associate editor then conducts their own review and also seeks
two outside reviews: one from a practitioner and one from an educator.
- A
maximum of six weeks is allowed for this portion of the review process.
After receiving reviews from two outside reviewers, the associate editor
prepares a letter to the editor recommending disposition of the manuscript.
- When
the associate editor completes the review, all copies of the manuscript,
the review forms, and comment sheets will be returned to the editor
with a cover letter recommending disposition. Manuscripts are the property
of the author until they are published in the journal.
- Upon return of
all materials, the editor reviews the recommendations of the associate
editor and the additional reviewers. Based upon their suggestions,
the number of manuscripts awaiting publication, and other logistical
concerns, the editor will write the author indicating the manuscript
falls into one of the following categories:
- Accept for publication as is (which happens very infrequently).
- Accept, but return to the author for minor revisions.
- Accept, but return to author for major revisions.
- Invite author to revise and resubmit for further review before a public decision is made. If the manuscript is resubmitted, it will be sent to the original associate editor for further review.
- Rejected outright. The author is advised not to resubmit the manuscript.
