Some Functions of a Scientific Journal
Julius H. Comroe · Circulation Research · 1966
Crisis in Communication 1 has divided scientific journals into two classes-those that are primarily newspapers and those that serve as permanent records of scientific achievement.Circulation Research is primarily a journal that presents today and records permanently new achievements in cardiovascular science.Therefore, the first function of Circulation Research is to achieve and maintain excellence in its class.According to Wiggers, 2 "Success or failure of a journal to achieve its ideals ... is determined fundamentally by its contributors."According to Landis, s "The excellence of a journal depends fundamentally on the standards adhered to by each member of the Editorial Board."Both are correct.A scientific journal achieves excellence only when the articles published in it present important new advances in basic understanding in the field.This occurs in two steps.The first is when the editorial board, by its review and priority system, indicates to the scientific community that the board has high standards and will not recommend for acceptance articles that have been published in part or in whole elsewhere, or represent minor variations on a larger theme, or reconfirm well-established knowledge, or are incomplete or not well documented.The second step occurs when scientists consider that the acceptance of their research by this editorial board is at least a minor distinction and consequently submit to it only their very best effort.Dr. Landis (see page 1) and his board, continuing the work of Dr. Carl Wiggers and then of Dr. Carl Schmidt, have brought Circulation Research to this enviable position and have achieved the first function of this journal.My role is to maintain the present excellence and, when possible, to develop other functions of a journal.A second important function of any journal is that it be maximally useful to its readers.This requires identifying what the majority of readers want.Most readers, I believe, agree that certain matters are desirable.Two of these are prompt publication of completed research and saving the readers' time.