How does ANR peer review work?

These steps of the ANR peer review process apply to all types of publications.

Step 1—author submits manuscript. An author submits a manuscript for peer review to the manuscript tracking system. Authors are encouraged to suggest possible reviewers. Charts, graphs, and tables must be submitted for peer review, as well as photographs and line drawings that provide important technical content. See Peer review of photos and artwork for details. Individual chapters of multi-chapter books are submitted separately.

Step 2—manuscript assigned to AE(s). The manuscript is assigned to your subject area Associate Editor (AE) for handling. Specialized chapters of a multi-chapter book will be delegated to other AEs as appropriate. 

Step 3—AE assesses manuscript. OThe AE reads the submitted manuscript to see if it can be sent out for peer review. If the AE determines that it is not ready, poorly organized or badly written, the author is contacted to discuss what needs to be done before the manuscript is ready for review. 

Step 4—reviewers selected. The Associate Editor selects peer reviewers.

Step 5—manuscript is reviewed. Reviewers evaluate the manuscript and provide a critique. Each reviewer is given three decision options: 
• Accept
• Revise and resubmit
• Reject

Step 6—reviews are summarized. Reviews are returned to the AE, who summarizes the reviewers' major concerns in an email to the author. The AE can add his/her suggestions for improvement. All reviewer forms—with names deleted—are attached to the email, along with any copies of the manuscript with reviewer comments. 

Note: If a manuscript is rejected by peer review, its author may appeal a decision to the chair of the Communications Advisory Board within 6 months.

Step 7—author revises manuscript. The decision emails will explain in detail how authors should address reviewer comments and queries in their revised manuscript.  The revised manuscript and explanation should be entered by the author into the online system as an attachments to the original submission, not as an entirely new submission. Authors have 3 months in which to complete this revision.

Step 8—review completed. The AE works with the author if needed to ensure that reviewers’ comments and suggestions are properly resolved and incorporated. When the AE is satisfied with the author’s responses and revision, peer review is considered successful. The AE then accepts the submission.

Step 9—pesticide recommendations checked. An OPIC review is required for any manuscript with pesticide use recommendations. For details, see When pesticides are recommended in a manuscript. 

Step 10—manuscript moves into production. ANR Publications moves the manuscript into production. There will be a kickoff meeting that outlines

Step 11—publication. The final work will be available either in print or online. The lead author receive 5 copies of printed publications while co-authors receive 1 copy each. All authors of printed publications receive a 40% discount.