[Updated 9.27.2025]
Editorial Team Roles
This list was created to help differentiate the roles at our journals. This is meant to be a guide to increase transparency, not an exhaustive list of responsibilities.
Executive Editor
The Executive Editor is responsible for overall content decisions for the journal. The Executive Editor may desk reject submissions or assign them to an Editor. The Executive Editor may also serve as an Editor.
The Executive Editor decides which papers appear in each issue and selects the Editor’s Choice paper.
The Executive Editor leads the editorial team and tracks overall journal function.
The Executive Editor has full access to all submissions (except when blocked due to conflict).
Editor
Editors are assigned to papers by the Executive Editor. The Editor may desk reject the submission or may choose to send the submission for review. The Editor reads the paper, considers the recommendation(s) from the reviewer(s), and makes the decision to reject, accept, or return the paper for revision to the author(s).
For RAPS and RCFS, the Editors have the full power to make decisions.
For RFS, the Executive Editor is asked to approve if the Editor makes one of the following decisions:
-return for revision (any round)
-accept/conditionally accept (first round only)
Editors are only able to access submissions assigned to them.
Associate Editor
Associate Editors may be asked to provide a recommendation on a submission, particularly if the reviewers have provided split recommendations. Associate Editors may also be asked to assist in reviewing appeals.
Associate Editors are only able to access submissions assigned to them.
Associate Editors do not make decisions on submissions.
Managing Editor
The Managing Editor is responsible for the administration of the journal. The Managing Editor has no input on content published in the journal.
The Managing Editor has full access to all submissions.
The Managing Editor does not make decisions on submissions.
Advisory Editor
Advisory Editors provide information to assist editors, such as suggesting potential reviewers and checking for unacknowledged resubmissions.
The Advisory Editor has full access to all submissions (except when blocked due to conflict).
Advisory Editors do not make decisions on submissions.
Data Editor (RFS only)
Data Editors review code and data to ensure replicability in accordance with journal policies.
The Data Editor has full access to all submissions (except when blocked due to conflict).
Data Editors do not make decisions on submissions.
Paper Processes
This list was created to explain the paper submission and review process. This is meant to be a guide to the process for most regular submissions, not an exhaustive list of all options or exceptions.
- Authors submit their paper into Editorial Express.
- The Managing Editor checks the paper for format and completeness of submission steps. If the submission is ready to proceed, the Managing Editor enters the paper into the queue for the editorial team.
- The Advisory Editor examines the submission and provides notes for the Editor, as described under the role above.
- The Executive Editor may either desk reject the submission or assign the submission to an Editor.
- The Editor may either desk reject the paper or assign reviewer(s). The Editor considers the reviews and makes a decision on the submission.