Journal editors are looking for submissions that effectively disseminate research findings relevant to their readers. They evaluate submissions based on criteria such as the significance of the topic, how the work adds to existing knowledge, the rigor of the argument and evidence, and the clarity and structure of the presentation. The peer review process involves an initial review by the editor, followed by reviews from two selected reviewers who provide feedback to guide the editor's decision on whether to publish the submission or request revisions from the author.

1. What are journal editors
looking for?
Professor Chris Ashford, Editor, The Law Teacher: The International Journal of
Legal Education
Effective Dissemination of Research Findings
LERN

2. The Law Teacher: the International Journal of
Legal Education
• Legal Education (pedagogy)
focus
• Award winning peer-reviewed
journal
• ‘Paywall journal’

3. Scope
• Is this relevant to our readers?

4. • Manuscript Rating Question(s): Scale Rating
• Significance of Subject[1-5]
• Adds to existing knowledge[1-5]
• Argument well developed[1-5]
• Evidence related and compelling[1-5]
• Suitability of methodology[1-5]
• Organisation/Structure[1-5]
• Clarity of expression[1-5]
• Currency of Material[1-5]
• Topicality[1-5]

5. Significance
• Literature
• How does this work relate to existing work?
• (adds to existing knowledge)
• What does it add?
• Why should readers care?

6. Rigour
• Argument well developed
• Evidence related and compelling
• Suitability of methodology
• What might this look like?

7. Presentation & Structure
• Organisation/structure
• Clarity of expression
• Currency of material/topicality

8. The Process/Peer Review
• Initial editor filter – is this relevant?
• Ordinarily, two reviewers – how are reviewers selected?
• Guided by reviewers
• Other reviewers may be invited
• Editor decision
• Author response to review
• Potential further review
• Potential further responses
• Publication

9. Development of ‘fields’/discipline
• Interpretation of these boundaries shifting
• “What * rating is your journal?”
• Journal rankings