I am thrilled to share some exciting news! The journal office, the editorial board, and I are delighted to introduce a new feature designed to enhance the timeliness and impact of the peer-reviewed manuscripts published in JSHAP.
Starting with this issue, we will implement the new Online Ahead of Print (OAOP) feature, marking a significant step forward in the journal’s contribution to the timely dissemination of peer-reviewed literature focused on swine health and production.
Accelerating access to knowledge
I am sure most of you would agree that the pace of advancements in swine practice, and swine health and production, continues to rapidly accelerate. The dissemination of peer-reviewed literature must keep up! Our new OAOP feature will bridge the gap between manuscript acceptance and the publication of the final, paginated, online and print issues. With OAOP, accepted JSHAP manuscripts will be published online immediately after completing the peer-review process and editorial processing. This will provide researchers and veterinary practitioners with prompt access to the latest findings, without waiting for the full issue to be compiled and printed.
Enhancing visibility and impact
Another key advantage of OAOP is the increased visibility that early online publication enables. Articles published online ahead of print can be indexed in scientific databases, ensuring that they are discoverable by the global swine and research community. Furthermore, these OAOP manuscripts can be cited just like fully published manuscripts. This enhanced visibility often translates into earlier citations, which can be crucial for authors seeking to establish or advance their careers. Moreover, the extended period during which an article remains in the spotlight—first as an OAOP and later as part of a paginated issue—can boost its impact and overall readership.
Improving the author and reader experience
For authors, OAOP represents a significant improvement in the publication process. The time between acceptance and reader availability is greatly reduced, offering authors the benefit of having their work disseminated more quickly. This can be particularly beneficial for early-career researchers or for those working on time-sensitive topics such as novel disease outbreaks or swine production tools.
For readers, OAOP provides a more up-to-date reading experience. You will be able to access the latest JSHAP peer-reviewed publications without waiting for the full issue release. Keep an eye on the AASV e-Letter for announcements when manuscripts are available online ahead of print.
As we roll out the “Online Ahead of Print” feature with our November/ December issue, the editorial board and journal staff remain committed to maintaining the rigorous standards of peer review and editorial quality that JSHAP readers expect. The OAOP feature is not about speed; it is about timely, accessible, and impactful science.
I invite all of you: JSHAP readers, authors, and reviewers, to explore this new feature on the AASV website and see what is available online ahead of print.
I hope you enjoy this issue.
Terri O’Sullivan, DVM, PhD
Executive Editor