The establishment of JAPA by the APA was a long-awaited initiative, realized in 2012 through a dedicated committee. Robert Audi invited an editor candidate for the inaugural position, yet concerns about the journal's editorial structure arose. The author feared the focus on diversity might overshadow the journal’s quality, making it unwieldy and inefficient. Aiming for merit-based evaluations, the author suggested that the operational challenges might lead to greater costs touching on time and professional relationships rather than enhancing the journal's value.
I began to have cold feet and, on October 11, sent the following email note to Robert: "After considering, reconsidering, and consulting with [my wife] Harrison, I have pretty well determined that I will not after all pursue the editorship of JAPA."
I thought of this as a chance to build a journal from the ground up that was, as I put it in my original application, a journal that 'got it right'. Papers would be judged on merit, with a premium placed on readability, a quick turnaround, and timely publication.
In this regard, I am, on reflection, convinced that the proposed JAPA editorial structure is unwieldy and inefficient. The structure seems designed first and foremost, not to produce a really first-rate journal, but to ensure diversity.
I predict the costs—in time, hard feelings, and professional second-guessing—will far outweigh any benefits.
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