Research and analysis of high-level scientists serving as editorial board members of scientific journals postprint

Abstract: ［Purposes］This paper aims to investigate the involvement of high-level scientists in the editorial boards of scientific journals, organize the structure of these editorial boards, and analyze the significant role they play from the scientists´ perspective. It objectively presents the current state of scientists´ participation in the development of scientific journals. ［Methods］We investigated the data of high-level scientists through online research, analyzed the composition and size of the editorial boards of the representative scientific journals in China, and explored the current situation of scientists´ participation in the construction of scientific journals through questionnaires and interviews. ［Findings］The number and proportion of high-level scientists serving as editorial board members of scientific journals are related to the quality of the journals, and the size of the editorial board is related to the influence of the journals. The roles played by editorial board members in journals are more consistent with the expectations of the journal´s editors. However, there are discrepancies in certain aspects. ［Conclusions］The number and proportion of high-level scientists in editorial boards are related to the quality of scientific journals. While the role played by scientists as editorial board members basically meets the expectations of editors, the contribution of scientists serving on editorial boards of scientific journals still requires systematic and multidimensional evaluation.