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 FastTrack online system. Authors are encouraged to suggest possible reviewers in the Comments field. 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. Authors should also fill out the top section of the MF-21 form, which accompanies the manuscript in the system throughout its review process. Individual chapters of multi-chapter books are submitted separately.

Step 2—manuscript assigned to AE(s). Interim Director of Publishing Linda Forbes and AE Chair Janet Hartin receive email notice of a submitted manuscript, and one of them assigns it to the appropriate subject area AE. Specialized chapters of a multi-chapter book will be delegated to other AEs as appropriate. 

Step 3—AE assesses manuscript. Once the Associate Editor receives an email notice that a submission is in the system, the 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. Using the online review form in the Manuscript FastTrack system, reviewers evaluate the manuscript. They may summarize what they believe are the major problems—if any—in the manuscript, and they may make comments in the manuscript using Track Changes. Lastly, they are given three decision options: 
• Accepted, contingent upon approved revision
• Declined, but recommend to rework and resubmit
• Declined outright

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. Both the "Accepted-with-revision" and "rejection-resubmit" decision emails from AEs explain in detail how authors should address reviewer comments and queries and return 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 MF-21 Submittal Form is electronically signed by the AE and author. 

Step 9—pesticide recommendations checked. If any pesticide use recommendations are made in the manuscript, then the AE emails the Statewide Pesticide Coordinator to request his review. For details, see When pesticides are recommended in a manuscript. Once the Pesticide Coordinator approves the material, the MF-21 Submittal Form is electronically signed by the Statewide Pesticide Coordinator.

Step 10—CS does production. Communication Services accesses the peer-reviewed manuscript, signed MF-21 and all accompanying artwork from the online review system. An ANR number is assigned to the manuscript, and CS   produces the publication, or, if the author is producing it, does a Conceptual Okay, and returns it to the author.

Step 11—reviewer and author copies. Once a publication is completed and printed or posted to the web, Communication Services sends a hard copy or a linked email for an online publication to its peer reviews and AE. Lead author receive 5 copies of printed publications while co-authors receive 1 copy each. All authors of printed publications receive a 40% discount on further copies that they may wish to purchase from Communication Services.