Soreide, K; Winter, DC. 2010. Global survey of factors influencing choice of surgical journal for manuscript submission. SURGERY 147 (4): 475-480

[Eugene Garfield]

Soreide, K; Winter, DC. 2010. Global survey of factors influencing choice of 
surgical journal for manuscript submission. SURGERY 147 (4): 475-480.

Author Full Name(s): Soreide, Kjetil; Winter, Desmond C.

Language: English
Document Type: Article

KeyWords Plus: IMPACT FACTOR; SURGEONS; PUBLISH

Abstract: 
Background. An increasing number of general and affiliated specialty society 
journals make finding the right place for manuscript submission of an article 
challenging. Little is known about what factors surgeons hold important when 
choosing a journal for article submission.

Materials. A global e-mail survey of authors publishing in 5 general surgery 
journals (Annals of Surgery, British Journal of Surgery, World Journal of Surgery, 
Archives of Surgery, and Surgery) from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 
2008. Demographic data were collected. 15 arbitrarily chosen factors 
associated with submission strategy were rated for importance on a 5-point 
modified Likert scale (ranging from 1 representing "unimportant" and 5 
representing "very important").

Results. Of 1,855 authors 250 (14%) responded. Representing 41 countries, 23 
(10%) of the respondents were female and 250 (90%) were male. About two 
thirds of the authors had less than 10 years of clinical practice, with general 
surgery or gastrointestinal surgery, as the major fields of interest represented. 
Of the 15 factors, the journal "reputation" was rated "very important" (5 points) 
by 62% of the respondents, followed by the journal "impact factor "which was 
rated "very important" by 61%, although some geographic differences were 
noted in this rating. Grouping several factors together in categories, the journal 
"prestige" and "turn-around time" category was held to be most important 
based on the average scores received. Age correlated with valued importance 
of the journal reputation (Spearman rho = 0.141; P = .033). The factors 
considered the least important included the journal's acceptance/rejection rate, 
the option to suggest peer reviewers, and open access.

Conclusion. The majority of seasoned surgeons held the overall reputation of 
the journal as the most important factor followed by the impact factor when 
choosing a journal fur 'manuscript submission. (Surgery 2010;147:475-80.)

Addresses: [Soreide, Kjetil] Stavanger Univ Hosp, Dept Surg, N-4068 
Stavanger, Norway; [Soreide, Kjetil] Univ Bergen, Dept Surg Sci, Bergen, 
Norway; [Winter, Desmond C.] Univ Coll Dublin, Inst Clin Outcomes Res & Educ, 
Dublin 2, Ireland; [Winter, Desmond C.] Univ Coll Dublin, St Vincents Univ Hosp, 
Dept Surg, Dublin 2, Ireland
Reprint Address: Soreide, K, Stavanger Univ Hosp, Dept Surg, POB 8100, N-
4068 Stavanger, Norway.

E-mail Address: ksoreide at mac.com
ISSN: 0039-6060
DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2009.10.042
URL: http://www.surgjournal.com/article/S0039-6060(09)00667-9/abstract