Re: ASA Perspectives Journal Peer Review

Dave,
    I know that George and Ted have already responded but I thought it would be appropriate to let the editor respond. I sent your comment to Roman Miller and he asked me to post this response on his behalf:

Randy

The published articles in PSCF are peer reviewed by anonymous reviewers.
Most of the submitted manuscripts are read by three peer reviewers; about
15% are read by four peer reviewers and about 25% are read by two peer
reviewers. About 75% of the peer reviewers are members of ASA; the others
are not members but are experts in some area of science/faith and are
available and interested enough to review manuscripts. The editor
continually solicits capable reviewers who are interested in diverse topics
and can provide helpful critiques of manuscripts submitted for publication. If
interested in participating as a peer reviewer, please send an email to the
editor with "peer reviewer" in the subject line (millerrj@rica.net).

Members of ASA are divided on the question of origins. Most ascribe to some
type of theistic evolution; some are progressive creationists or intelligent
designers; a few are scientific creationists and believe in a young earth
created in six 24 hour days. When an article is submitted on origins, the
editor attempts to select reviewers who represent more than one viewpoint on
origins. For example, if someone sends an article on ID, the editor tries
first of all to have an IDer review it and then also someone who ascribes to
theistic evolution. The intent of the journal is to publish the best of
these diverse viewpoints as long as the article represents good science and
good theology. Dialogue on the issue is encouraged through letters and
articles; printed character assassinations of the persons involved in
debating the issue of origins are not accepted!

Incidentally, if plans materialize, either the September or December 2006
issue of PSCF will feature a dialogue between two well-known persons in ASA
circles: a theistic evolutionist and an intelligent designer! A subsequent
dialogue is planned to examine the issues of the "RATE" project promoted by
some creation scientists. Stay tuned.

Shalom.
Roman Miller, PSCF Editor----- Original Message -----
  From: David Opderbeck
  To: asa@lists.calvin.edu
  Sent: Monday, March 20, 2006 12:12 PM
  Subject: ASA Perspectives Journal Peer Review

  Just a curiosity question -- is the ASA Perspectives journal peer reviewed or how otherwise are editorial decisions made? The most recent PCSF had a very pro-ID article that drew heavily on Dembski's work, which I'm sure most of the active participants on this list wouldn't agree with. Is this list representative of the organization? Is PCSF representative? Or neither?
Received on Tue Mar 21 22:24:02 2006