Editorial

129Urology Journal    Vol 4    No 3    Summer 2007

Editorial Policy
The Right to International Papers and Contributors 

Urol J. 2007;4:129. 
www.uj.unrc.ir

Urology Journal is an open access online journal that 
aims to expeditiously publish basic and clinical 
research studies related to urological issues from 
different cultural communities. A review of  titles of  
papers in the last 12 months should amply illustrate 
our international nature. Scientific publishing has 
been revolutionized in the past decade. With the 
explosive growth of  the internet, the introduction 
of  online publishing, and the advent of  electronic 
printing technology, it is decisive that research 
findings be published from all over the world. The 
journal welcomes all types of  articles related to 
urological issues. Its timely publication and high 
visibility are the two most important features that 
make this journal different from other traditional 
journals in the region. This is only the beginning of  
a long journey. Our principal aim is to increase the 
number of  corresponding editors from different 
countries and different regions of  the world, although 
we would like to see an increase in peer reviewers who 
have, like corresponding editors, an understanding 
of  these issues. International participation will also 
encourage greater opportunities for publications from 
researchers from different cultures which is itself  
worthy. 

Some readers of  international journals know 
something about global inequalities but may not fully 
realize their extent. Although prejudice can explain 
part of  the imbalance, there are also specific measures 
that may increase the likelihood of  a paper being 
accepted in international journals. These include 
the need to invest in the quality of  the written text, 
and to show empathy with editors and readers, 
emphasizing the contribution of  the manuscript 
to the international literature. We can go some 
way towards greater equality of  opportunity from 
different regions; by improved submissions system, 
careful assessment, detailed recommendations for 
revision and sympathetic consideration of  revised 
versions. We should increase research capacity and 
“manuscript development” skills. The worldwide 
indexing of  a journal is potentially a great boon and 

a leveler, but the top ranking journals could do more 
to improve regional journals in different part of  the 
world so that their journals can be indexed. Medical 
journal editors have a main endeavor, publishing 
of  a reliable and readable journal, produced with 
due respect for the stated aims of  the journal and 
for costs. It is interesting that almost all journals 
like to describe themselves as international. At 
present, medical journals, tend to pursue excellence 
rather than fairness and in doing this their eyes are 
focused far too closely on the impact factor of  their 
journals as the only adequate measure of  worth. All 
editors have the obligation to support the concept of  
editorial freedom and to draw major transgressions 
of  such freedom to the attention of  the international 
medical community. The rapid growth in the number 
of  contributions from all over the world to the 
international medical literature shows that editorial 
prejudice, although often present, can be effectively 
offset by research with solid methodology and good-
quality presentation. Academic, clinical, legal, and 
administrative bodies foist an authoritative role on 
peer reviewed professional journals. Much of  this is 
driven by the opinion that the journals are “impartial.” 
If  a journal wishes to reject this role, then the editors 
should decline loudly. The Committee on Publication 
Ethics (COPE) launches a new code of  conduct 
for editors (www.publicationethics.org.uk). The 
code comprises a set of  standards for good editorial 
practice. The two professions most closely allied to 
medical journal editing, medicine and the press, have 
well-established systems for self-regulation. However, 
self-regulation is a privilege not a right. It brings with 
it responsibilities to establish and enforce standards of  
good practice. The COPE code of  conduct is a first 
step. Recent world events have served to emphasize 
our interdependence and remind us that we cannot 
escape into separate worlds. Perhaps it is this, more 
than any other perception, which will break down the 
barriers between the 90% and 10%. 

Mohammad Reza Safarinejad
Associate Editor, Urology Journal