Purpose

Lamaze International has complete responsibility for the content, scientific control and editorial policy of The Journal of Perinatal Education. To discharge this responsibility, Lamaze International will appoint an Editor and an Editorial Board to carry out its publication in accordance with this policy.

Editorial Content

The Journal of Perinatal Education (JPE) is a quarterly, peer-reviewed publication specifically for childbirth and perinatal educators. Through evidence-based articles, JPE keeps educators informed about research and its implications for practice. Journal features provide practical resources and advice that educators can use to enhance the quality and effectiveness of their teaching to prepare expectant parents for birth. Articles will focus on issues, educational topics, clinical practice and research related to childbirth and perinatal education. In addition to articles on these subjects, JPE will include home study modules, book reviews, abstracts with commentaries, critiques from other journals, etc. Articles and items that will advance the Lamaze International mission should be given preference. The editorial policy and content of JPE shall at all times reflect the image and reputation of Lamaze International and shall be consistent with the principles adopted by Lamaze International to accomplish its mission. All advertisements accepted for publication in the JPE must adhere to Lamaze International advertising standards.

Appointments

The appointment of the Editor and Editorial Board members are the responsibility of the Lamaze International President, in consultation with the Board of Directors.

When a vacancy in the Editor position occurs, a call for applications will be published to seek interested candidates. The President will appoint an Editor Search Task Force in consultation with the Executive Committee, Education Council Chair and Lamaze Institute for Normal Birth Editor. Candidates for the Editor may be recommended or nominated by the outgoing Editor or members of the Board of Directors or they may nominate themselves. A curriculum vitae and a statement summarizing qualifications will be reviewed by an Editor Search Task Force who will present their recommendations to the President for final approval.

The President, in consultation with the Board of Directors, may remove the Editor or Editorial Board members for due cause by a two-thirds majority vote of the Board. Causes for removal of the Editor shall include, but not be limited to, failure to fulfill the responsibilities and duties of the position.

Editor: Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for appointment shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

· Demonstrated commitment to advancing normal birth and to the Lamaze philosophies of pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and parenting.

· A broad, in-depth knowledge of the field of childbirth and perinatal education and its current trends and advances.

· A strong background in qualitative and quantitative research pertinent to the field of childbirth and perinatal education. Advanced degree, preferred.

· Vision for JPE coincides with the vision of Lamaze International. Lamaze International member, preferred.

· Experience writing for professional peer-reviewed publication(s)

· Experience as an editorial board member, a reviewer, or columnist for a professional journal, preferred.

· Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, and manage tasks associated with journal publication.

· Time available to perform Editorial duties.

Editor: Term

The term of appointment for the Editor members is for three (3) years and may be renewed for additional three (3) year terms.

Editor: Remuneration

Lamaze International will provide the Editor with a quarterly honorarium of $3,750 ($15,000 annually) and has earmarked additional funds to provide for the part-time administrative support of a Managing Editor, related office supplies, and travel to the Lamaze annual conference.

Editor: General Responsibilities

The Editor of JPE is directly accountable to the Lamaze International Board of Directors. The Editor is responsible for all aspects of preparing the content of JPE for publication, and is responsible for engaging the assistance of a Managing Editor to assist with their responsibilities. These specific responsibilities include:

· Supports Lamaze International vision and mission.

· Develops and oversees ongoing plans and procedures for manuscript acquisition and peer-review process.

· Writes editorials and solicits guest editorials and other articles, as appropriate.

· Works with new authors to provide supportive and constructive feedback on manuscript submissions.

· Works with the Managing Editor to select appropriate reviewers for manuscripts, reviews page proofs for each issue and ensures corrections are submitted to the company that produces JPE.

· Ensures the Managing Editor submits complete editorial materials, in acceptable form, to the company that produces JPE, according to established deadlines.

· Identifies and recommends candidates for the Editorial Board, and directs the activities of the Editorial Board, including calling and presiding at meetings of the Editorial Board.

· Identifies and appoints appropriate Associate Editor(s) and Contributing Columnists.

· Provides an annual report to the Lamaze International Board of Directors on journal matters, such as manuscript flow, acceptance rate, and other pertinent information.

· Contributes input on readership survey and marketing efforts.

· Works with the Managing Editor to facilitate ongoing communication as well as problem-solving issues, as needed, between the editorial office and the Lamaze Board of Directors, the company that produces the journal, authors, reviewers, columnists, membership, administrative office, and the general public.

· Works with Managing Editor to addresses information requests pertaining to JPE content from members and authors and to handle general reprint requests.

Editor: Publication Review and Management Responsibilities/Process

The Editor is responsible for working with the Managing Editor to coordinate manuscript review according to the following process:

Briefly evaluate manuscript submission (usually submitted via e-mail attachment) for appropriateness in JPE.

Assist Managing Editor in selecting three (3) reviewers to review each manuscript.

Serve as an occasional reviewer for articles related to the Editor’s specific area of expertise.

Evaluate results of the review. Based upon these reviews, accept manuscript for publication, reject manuscript, or insert suggested edits and request revision of manuscript.

Advise Managing Editor to inform author, in writing (via e-mail), of the results of editorial review.

If revised manuscript is requested, evaluate revised manuscript (as above); advise Managing Editor to communicate with author, in writing (via e-mail), regarding revised paper.

In working with the Managing Editor, the Editor may expect the following part-time editorial assistance for managing the preparation of JPE for publication (NOTE: because the Managing Editor’s position is part-time, the Editor is encouraged to allow scheduling flexibility and to participate in management procedures, as needed)::

Manage process of manuscript review to ensure timely, helpful, and positive communications between authors, columnists, reviewers, Editor, and JPE editorial office.

Log in new manuscripts on computer database.

Send send e-mail acknowledgement and thank-you to author soon after manuscript is received. Briefly describe the editorial and review process and expected time line.

Insert light proofreading edits and uniformly format manuscript in preparation for reviewers. Confirm Editor’s approval that manuscript is appropriate for JPE and ready to send out for review.

Soon after manuscript is received, choose 3 reviewers and, if necessary, ask Editor for assistance in reviewer assignment.

Contact reviewers by e-mail to determine whether or not they are available to review manuscript. Briefly describe the manuscript’s contents and provide a due date (usually 1 to 1½ months’ time). Assure reviewers that, if they are unable to review the manuscript, JPE will choose another reviewer and contact them again for a future review.

If reviewers are available and agree to review manuscript, send them a uniformly formatted manuscript and a reviewer’s report form (via e-mail attachments) and advise when comments are due.

Contact reviewers again to determine status, if review is not received after the due date.

Give manuscripts and a compiled copy of all reviewers’ comments to Editor for decision regarding acceptance.

Send author an e-mail notice from Editor regarding acceptance, rejection, and/or need for revision, along with a copy of reviews. If Editor accepts manuscript for publication and requests revisions, provide a due date, specific instructions for revisions, and an attached document for author’s inserted revisions and edits. Also, advise author of publication schedule and time lines. If necessary, follow-up on author’s revised version if not received after the due date.

File manuscripts according to decision on publication.

Manage process of tracking manuscripts from review through publication. Similar procedures are followed for regular JPE columnists and their submissions.

Update records and hard files, as needed.

Keep log of pictures for each manuscript/column.

Keep log of materials sent to the company that produces JPE.

Handle correspondence, as needed, with authors, columnists, reviewers, and the company that produces JPE in a helpful, positive, and timely manner.

Refer questions from authors or others regarding JPE to Editor, as needed.

According to publication deadlines, submit approved manuscripts/columns (via e-mail) for each issue to the company that produces JPE. Include additional information and instructions, as needed, for each issue.

Obtain additional information, as needed, from authors as requested by Editor.

Throughout the page-proof process, ensure that authors’/columnists’ final corrections and edits are received and sent to the company that produces JPE.

Work with the Editor to assemble "filler" material, if necessary.

Maintain correspondence with Lamaze International administrative staff regarding page proofs, paid and house ads, press releases, and proposed CEM articles.

Soon after the publication of each issue, send (via e-mail) a PDF of authors’/columnists’ final article and two hard copies (via postal mail) of the entire JPE issue. Invite authors to submit again and to encourage their colleagues to submit manuscripts in the future. Advise regular columnists of the next due date.

Editorial Board: Composition

The Editorial Board shall be comprised of the Editor and up to 12 members who are experts in the field of perinatal education. Editorial Board members and Associate Editors may be appointed at the discretion of the Editor and upon approval of the Lamaze International President. In addition, Editorial Board members may be appointed to serve as Contributing Columnists of the JPE.

Editorial Board: Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for appointment shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

A broad, in-depth knowledge of the field of childbirth and perinatal education and its current trends and advances.

An understanding and appreciation for research pertinent to the field of childbirth and perinatal education.

Experience writing articles for publication, and ability to critically evaluate manuscripts.

Ability to fulfill responsibilities of the Editorial Board on a voluntary basis.

Member of Lamaze International.

Editorial Board: Responsibilities

Members of the Editorial Board are directly accountable to the Editor of JPE and to the Board of Directors. The responsibilities of Editorial Board members are as follows:

Provide input on editorial needs and review manuscripts, as requested.

Complete assigned reviews in a timely manner, offering constructive critique of manuscripts to assist the author and Editor to achieve the best possible quality in the final publication.

Submit (may be recruited) an article for review for publication each year.

Attend the Editorial Board Meeting that is held during the annual conference each year.

Maintain confidentiality and objectivity with regard to manuscripts.

Participate in periodic evaluation of the quality and effectiveness of JPE to maintain the journal as a quality reference source.

Editorial Board: Term

The term of appointment for Editorial Board members is for three (3) years and may be renewed for additional three (3) year terms. Editorial Board member terms will be staggered.

Associate Editor(s)

An Associate Editor(s) may be appointed by the Editor to serve, on a voluntary basis, to assist in carrying out editorial responsibilities and making recommendations regarding the content of JPE.

Contributing Columnists

Contributing Columnists may be appointed by the Editor to serve, on a voluntary basis, to write a column for specified issues of JPE.

Manuscript Reviewers

Manuscript reviewers will be selected by the Editor to review, on a voluntary basis, a specific manuscript in their particular area of expertise. The reviewers do not have to be members of the JPE Editorial Board or Lamaze International.

 

Adopted: October 14, 1994

Revised: March 2006