Barriers and Strategies to the Revision Process From an Editor's Perspective

Abstract

Writing for publication is an important component of nursing scholarship. Navigation of the publication process can be challenging for both the novice and expert writer. Despite a number of published articles related to writing for publication, there is a paucity of research in barriers encountered after manuscript submission. Fourteen nurse editors participated in this qualitative descriptive study. The purpose of the study was to identify and describe actual or perceived barriers that nurse authors encounter during the revision process from the editor's perspective. In addition, editors described various strategies that are employed during the revision process. Seven categories were identified related to barriers encountered by the nurse author, which include novice author, revision request, author guidelines, academic integrity, motivation, time, and international submissions. Five strategies employed by editors were identified, and include their approach to the author, revision request, mentorship, time, and the peer reviewer. Approaches to minimize, reduce, or remove barriers included four key players: academic institutions, editor, author, and institutions. This study confirms much of what has been written in articles concerning writing for publication. The current study provides additional illumination of this subject and can be instrumental in allowing the editor, author, academia, and healthcare institutions to reflect on their role in reducing barriers and promoting nursing scholarship. To promote continued growth in nursing scholarship, it is important for authors, editors, academia, and healthcare institutions to seek ways to reduce barriers that may be encountered during the revision process.