Appeal for Discharging Responsibilities

Abstract

Academic journals become quality when important stakeholders such asmanuscript contributors, reviewers, editors, and publishers discharge their responsibilitieseffectively in the given time. Imagine what happens when (1) authors do not submit wellcommunicating manuscript but with substantial content and do not incorporate the givencomments and resubmit in the appointed time 1 , (2) reviewers do not critically reviewmanuscripts and delay the review process, (3) editors and advisory board membersbecome reluctant in the editorial and counseling process respectively, and (4)universities (publishers) become reluctant in fulfilling the necessary manpower for ajournal such as full time managing editor, language editor, secretary and fail to givesubstantial incentives to the editors by giving silly excuses. The consequence is clear: thejournal’s sustainability and reputability would be at risk. This in turn negatively affectsauthors’ promotion as well as the image of the publisher (the University).Currently there are more than five active journals published by Jimma University.These journals are alive because of the commitment of a few individuals (of course otherjournals in Ethiopian universities face similar challenges). But the sustainability ofjournals should not be dependent on individuals but a system. Otherwise when thosecommitted individuals are burnt out, the journals collapse–the danger of backlogging!!The Ethiopian Journal of Social Sciences and Language Studies (EJSSLS), whichis published by Jimma University, has passed through the aforementioned challenges andreleased now Volume 4 Issue 2. But, for the journal to sustain, to achieve its vision andmission of becoming one of the most preferable journals in Africa by publishing qualitymanuscripts from various disciplines in Social Sciences and Language Studies, the editorappeals to the stakeholders of the journal to discharge their responsibilities. To avoiddelayed release of issues, authors must submit well communicating manuscripts withgood substance (please get the help of English language editor) and respect the author’sguidelines; reviewers ought to review manuscripts critically and return without delay; editors ought to check carefully and quickly whether manuscripts are ready to bepublished; advisory boards ought to follow up the published issues and suggest the waythe journal can be improved. Above all, as a full time managing editor, language editor,and secretary play significant role in the effectiveness of the journal, specifically inreleasing issues timely, Jimma University in general and The College of Social Sciencesand Humanities (CSSH) in particular must assign these important resources andencourage the editors with due incentives. Provided that these conditions are fulfilled, Ibelieve and hope that will be, the Journal releases its issues timely.Using this opportunity, the editor thanks Jimma University for arranging differenttrainings that enhance the qualities of its journals. I am also very thankful to responsibleauthors, reviewers, editors, advisory board members of EJSSLS, the dean and theadministrative director of CSSH, who have contributed to the present status of EJSSLS.
The editor-in-chief,
Tesfaye Gebeyehu
Associate prof. (PhD)