Donate
Join AAPSE
Member Login

Journal Editors and Editorial Policies

Managing Editors

Editor-in-Chief — Michael J. Weaver, Virginia Tech

The editor-in-chief manages the overall operation of the journal including setting and publishing its policies and guidelines, and its flow through the editorial process during its annual publication. This includes management of the journal website, format, layout, and final release and announcement of article publication. This editor works with the associate editor to decide if a submission fits the scope of the journal and can be submitted to the associate editor for formal review. They also assist with review decisions (if needed), acceptance decisions, and the assistant editor (copyediting process) to move manuscripts to final publication. That includes working directly with authors to complete reviewer recommendations and meet the publication timeline. This editor also works directly with the contributing editors to help them fulfill their specific tasks.

Associate Editor – Fred Whitford, Purdue University

The associate editor directs the review process. All articles published in JPSE flow through the Associate Editor prior to acceptance and publication. This editor arranges for a blind, peer review of each accepted manuscript. The associate editor’s role is probably the most important role of any of the managing editors. It is time-consuming, demanding, and can be difficult depending upon how the review process flows. The critical decision to accept a manuscript for publication is based on the collective feedback of up to three independent reviewers in cooperation with the associate editor. Acceptance can involve minor changes, major changes, rejection, or a total rewrite. This final decision lies almost entirely with the associate editor.

Assistant Editor – Susan Terwilliger, Virginia Tech

The assistant editor is the copy editor of the journal. This editor has the last word on article style and format based on APA guidelines. They work directly with the other managing editors and authors to finalize accepted manuscripts for publication. The reputation of the journal and its published articles flows through the copy editor. This job takes a talented, meticulous, and well-trained editor and writer to succeed. AAPSE has been blessed with talented editors over the years. Their dedication to the journal has contributed greatly to the overall quality of JPSE and its articles each year.

Contributing Editors

Contributing editors serve for two years (with AAPSE Board reappointment for up to ten years) as generators of content (two articles minimum per year) for various sections of the journal. Sections listed by each editor’s role will fit under the current JPSE categories. In addition to being responsible for a specific section, contributing editors will solicit content from potential authors, and work with the managing editors to oversee JPSE guidelines and policies. These editors include:

  • Contributing Editor – AAPSE Legacies and History (Legacy Editor) — Dean Herzfeld, University of Minnesota — stories of programs and people, member obituaries, and articles of historical nature. These can include life members, fellows, award winners, and outstanding or unique programs and projects that impact pesticide safety education. This editor will also serve as AAPSE Historian.
  • Contributing Editor – Short Commentaries and Non-Research Articles (Article Editor) — Dan Wixted, Cornell University — any timely topic of interest to the readership. Topics can range from education and communication, to regulatory and enforcement. Any topic that drives pesticide safety education is game, including those of a humorous nature.
  • Contributing Editor – Articles for Educators and Communicators including photography (Education Editor) — Jennifer Weisbrod, University of Nebraska at Lincoln — this section is geared towards sharing images and articles about new teaching and communication tools, training events, and images from field experiences. This editor will also assist with the AAPSE media database.
  • Contributing Editor – Book and Media Reviews (Review Editor) — Jason Ferrell, University of Florida — of published media relevant to pesticide safety education including books, journal articles, websites, and Extension and technical publications.
  • Contributing Editor – Science and Research-Based Articles (Science Editor) — Andrew Martin, Purdue University — articles based on the literature review of a science-based topic relevant to pesticide safety education. In addition, this editor will solicit formal research and science-related, refereed-ready manuscripts from the membership.

Editorial Policies

Focus and Scope

The Journal of Pesticide Safety Education (JSPE) is the official repository of discipline-specific writings that have been considered, accepted, and published as refereed literature by the American Association of Pesticide Safety Educators. JPSE is solely an electronic journal. 

Section Policies

(Please refer to submission guidelines for more details)

Please note: Maximum article and abstract length (in words) are noted below. These are flexible numbers. Submissions will not be rejected for exceeding these suggested guidelines unless authors grossly exceed them. This will be determined by the reviewers and editors on an individual article basis.

Research Study

  • Formal reports of findings and implications arising from a scientifically framed study of some aspect of pesticide safety education.
  • Article suggested maximum: 15 pages of double-spaced text (page = 66 lines, line = 80 characters of 12-point type) plus tables and figures.
  • Abstract suggested maximum: 100 words
  • Reviewers: 3

Literature Review

  • Robust descriptions of pesticide applicator teaching (training) or applicator assessment (testing) program implementations, efficacies, or modifications. Articles based on the literature review of a science-based topic relevant to pesticide safety education.
  • Article suggested maximum: 15 pages of double-spaced text (page = 66 lines, line = 80 characters of 12-point type) plus tables and figures.
  • Abstract suggested maximum: 100 words
  • Reviewers: 3

Commentary

  • Development of an opinion or thought-provoking idea on an issue of interest to pesticide safety educators or the AAPSE readership.
  • Article suggested maximum: 500 words
  • Abstract suggested maximum: 50 words
  • Reviewers: 2

Program Description

  • Robust descriptions of pesticide applicator teaching (training) or applicator assessment (testing) program implementations, efficacies, or modifications.
  • Article suggested maximum: 15 pages of double-spaced text (page = 66 lines, line = 80 characters of 12-point type) plus tables and figures.
  • Abstract suggested maximum: 100 words
  • Reviewers: 3

Review or Critique

  • Third-party review of recently produced pesticide safety education materials (e.g., reviews of new books, training manuals, booklets, pamphlets, videos, educational games, and computer-based training modules. or,
  • Third-party critique of a unique or innovative method, technology, or device that aids information delivery of (or focuses trainee attention on) any aspect of pesticide safety education (e.g., critiques of field demonstrations, trainee practice activities, in-classroom manipulations, on-line teaching tools, and animations).
  • Article suggested maximum: 1,000 words
  • Abstract: none
  • Reviewers: 2

Literary Note

  • A succinct, topically focused discussion delineating the merit (or liability) of a documented instructional practice, policy, or procedure evidenced in current pesticide safety education literature.
  • Article suggested maximum: 750 words
  • Abstract suggested maximum: 75 words
  • Reviewers: 2

Article Response

  • A response to any article published in the JPSE.
  • Article suggested maximum: 500 words
  • Abstract suggested maximum: 50 words
  • Reviewers: 2

Templates and Tools

  • Description or publication of recently produced pesticide safety education materials (e.g., new books, reporting and programming templates, pest management protocols or prescriptions targeting compliance assistance or pesticide safety education, training manuals, booklets, pamphlets, videos, educational games, web-based training and information, computer-based training modules, etc. A description of a unique or innovative method, scripts and skits, hands-on programming, workshop and model program formats/templates, train-the-trainer programs, use of technology or devices that aid information delivery of (or focuses attention on) any aspect of pesticide safety education, field demonstrations, trainee practice activities, in-classroom manipulations, case studies, online teaching tools, animations, etc.
  • Article suggested maximum: 5 pages
  • Abstract suggested maximum: 100 words
  • Reviewers: 3

Please note: the AAPSE Board has approved the addition of five contributing editors who’s jobs include generation of articles that fit within the categories described here. However, once this group starts working together, changes to the categories are possible. Those changes will be published here and announced to the AAPSE membership. In the interim, articles will continue to fit these categories for publication. 

Date of Revision: 08/09/22, MJW