Abstract
Electronic-Only Subscriptions to Veterinary Pathology
We are exploring an option to allow members to receive only the electronic version of the journal rather than the printed version plus the electronic version, as is the current practice. This electronic-only option would not be expected to affect member dues, but it does provide an opportunity for environmentally sensitive individuals to contribute. Additionally, SAGE is beginning to evaluate new ways to deliver journal content to individuals on their mobile devices which would give the reader the ability to view entire issues, including color micrographs. We believe that these devices could significantly increase journal utilization, especially for those who prefer an electronic-only subscription.
We are also exploring the publication of selected articles in an electronic-only format. Articles such as commentaries, T. Schoeb’s diagnostic exercise column, letters to the editor, and editorials are candidates for this approach. Such articles would be listed in the table of contents for the appropriate issue. Articles in the electronic-only format would be listed in PubMed and cited like a normal journal article. The first examples of electronic-only articles appeared in issues 4 and 5, courtesy of Drs Hirofumi Yamauchi and Julio Benavides, respectively. These actions should help conserve the resources necessary to produce the printed product.
Supplemental Files
Note that individuals submitting manuscripts through SAGE are increasingly utilizing supplemental files. Supplemental files present the opportunity for the author to provide additional, highly detailed data of interest to a subset of subscribers, such as subspecialists. The review process for supplemental files will be the same as for the material in the printed version of the manuscript. The rigor and criticality of materials in supplemental files should be considered reasonably comparable to the material in the print version.
Additionally, a new SAGEscope project provides authors the opportunity to host scanned slide images with Veterinary Pathology articles. A challenge question is asked of authors when they submit their manuscripts, letting them know about the new feature, the image requirements, and the fee associated with the service. Anyone interested in retroactively adding their scanned slides should contact the production editor, Allison Leung. An added e-commerce function on the Veterinary Pathology homepage site will allow authors to use a credit card to pay for the full scanned slide images hosted on the SAGE site. “Classification of Canine Malignant Lymphomas According to the World Health Organization Criteria,” by Valli et al in issue 1, 2011, represents the first article to include a supplement with scanned slides, which are representative of the lymphoma subtypes. We consider this SAGEscope tool as a very important resource that will enable creation of a tremendous archive for training and continuing education in the coming years—thus we strongly encourage utilization.