As an editor, we know how important it is for you to provide the best possible experience for authors choosing to publish in your journal; after all, happy authors make for a successful and healthy journal. But how do journal transfer networks fit in to this, and what are the benefits?

Firstly, what exactly is a journal transfer network?

Papers get rejected for all kinds of reasons; for example, it may be that you read a great paper, but it just doesn’t quite fit in with your journal’s scope. If your journal is part of a transfer network, as the editor, you can choose to refer suitable rejected articles to another relevant journal with the same publisher. Many Wiley journals participate in this kind of network; after review, rejected articles which are of suitable quality (i.e. methodologically sound), may be identified by the editor as candidates for referral to another relevant journal.

Once their paper has been referred, the author can choose whether to transfer their manuscript to the new journal. If they decide to take the opportunity to transfer their manuscript, it is then automatically transferred to the receiving journal’s submission system, along with any reviewer reports it might have received. The receiving journal will then undertake their own editorial evaluation, which may include sending it out for peer review again, to determine whether it’s suitable for further consideration.

Why are transfer networks great for authors?

Choosing the right journal to publish in can be a painful (and not to mention time consuming!) experience for an author – there are so many factors to consider before making a decision on which journal to submit to. At the same time, authors are under increased pressure to publish as quickly as possible, with slow publication times a massive pain point. And this is where transfer networks come in…

• For submissions which are transferred with peer review reports, the receiving journal may be able to decide more quickly, using the transferred review reports, on the submission’s suitability for the journal
• Because authors are immediately offered an alternative journal to transfer their manuscript to, this saves both time and effort as manuscripts do not need to be reformatted before they’re transferred. (The receiving journal may then apply specific requirements.)
• Being offered this choice gives the author a better experience, rather than being rejected outright

How does transferring papers benefit the research community?

We know from feedback that one of the hardest parts of being a journal editor is finding peer reviewers, and this is exacerbated by rejected papers being put through multiple rounds of peer review, putting pressure on an already stretched system. By transferring articles with review reports, this saves duplication of work for peer reviewers, and helps to reduce the burden.

 

Find out more about article referrals and transfers

Learn More

As an editor, how does my journal benefit?

By choosing to refer or receive transferred papers, you’re offering authors the opportunity to have their paper considered in another journal, whilst removing the need for them to complete submission again – a time consuming process for many authors. It’s important to remember that, just because you refer a manuscript to another journal, you are not forcing the author to accept that transfer. The final decision whether to transfer the paper is made by the author themselves, and there is no obligation on the receiving journal to publish the paper.

It may be that your journal is only able to accept a small proportion of papers submitted or is looking to receive more submissions. Participating in a journal transfer network allows good quality submissions, worthy of publication in a journal, to be kept within that network.

You will also be benefitting the wider academic community that your journal serves. As an editor, you are a representative and advocate for your research community. By offering authors the opportunity to have their paper considered elsewhere, if not suitable for your journal, you’re helping support researchers get their work published.

Providing a good publishing experience for authors means that they will be more likely to submit to your journal again and recommend it to their peers. Ultimately, happy authors will improve the overall health and reputation of your journal!

If you have any questions about journal transfer networks, please contact your journal manager.