Exploration of Musculoskeletal Diseases--2024 Annual Report

Established in February 2023, Exploration of Musculoskeletal Diseases (EMD) is dedicated to publishing high-quality and impactful research in all areas related to musculoskeletal diseases. As a peer-reviewed, open-access journal, EMD upholds rigorous review process and fosters an open academic vision, providing global scholars with a platform to disseminate and publish their research findings. Having received 168 submissions and published 77 articles in the past two years since its launch, the journal has maintained a stable and gradually increasing submission and publication rate, demonstrating its immense potential for growth.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS in 2024:

• 96 submissions from 34 countries and regions

• 49 published articles

• 58% rejection rate

• 47 editorial board members

• 7 special issues launched

• 2 international conference promotions

Major Progress in 2024

In 2024, under the leadership of our Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Fernando Pérez-Ruiz, and with the contributions and efforts of all authors, reviewers, board members, and guest editors, the journal has made significant progress in various aspects, laying a solid foundation for its future growth and development.

Submissions and Publications

In 2024, we received support from authors around the world, with both the number of submissions and publications surpassing our annual development targets set in 2023. Staying true to our commitment to publishing high-quality articles, we handpicked the best from 96 submissions and published 49 of them. Among these were several popular papers that garnered widespread attention upon their release. The steady increase in submissions and publications fills us with confidence in the journal’s future. We believe that, with the continued support of our authors, we will keep advancing towards our goals.

Increasing Submissions: In 2024, the journal received a total of 96 submissions, including 37 original articles and 32 review articles, showing a steady increase compared to 2023 (72 submissions). These submissions came from authors across 34 countries and regions (Figure 1), highlighting the geographical diversity of our contributors. We sincerely appreciate the strong support from authors worldwide and are grateful for their trust in our journal, choosing to submit their valuable research findings for publication with us.

Figure 1. Country distribution of EMD manuscripts in 2024

Stable Publication: In 2024, the journal published 49 high-quality articles, with original articles and reviews accounting for 56.6% of the total. Compared to 2023, the publication volume steadily increased by 75%. At the same time, the average H-index of our corresponding authors reached 31.43. Additionally, based on the sources of published articles, there was a notable increase in high-quality articles from external contributors in 2024. This not only reflects the journal’s growing visibility but also signifies its enhanced academic influence and reputation. Looking ahead, we hope to further expand the diversity of high-quality contributions to the journal.

Manuscript Processing

In pursuit of a more efficient and rigorous review process, and to enhance the submission experience for authors, we reformed our review process in 2024 by establishing an internal preliminary review team and optimizing the review process. The reform has not only strengthened the quality control over manuscripts but has also significantly enhanced the efficiency of the review process.

More Efficient: In 2024, the average time for the initial review of manuscripts was 6.81 days. The average time from submission to the first decision was 36.85 days, markedly shorter than the 67 days recorded in 2023 (Figure 2). Additionally, the average time from first decision to acceptance was 28.56 days. While ensuring quality, we have striven to reduce the review time at every stage, aiming to provide authors with a more efficient submission process and spare them from prolonged waits for review comments and decisions.

Figure 2. Average time from submission to first decision    Figure 3. Rejection rate in 2023 and 2024

More Rigorous: Over the past year, our editor-in-chief, editorial board, and reviewers have rigorously evaluated all manuscripts, adhering to the strictest review standards from the initial review to acceptance. In 2024, our rejection rate was 58%, marking an increase from 45.7% in 2023 (Figure 3). In addition, our initial rejection rate has also increased compared to 2023, also reflecting our rigorous quality control over manuscripts and our firm pursuit of enhancing the journal’s academic influence. We have been deeply aware of the efforts and contributions of every author, and as such, our editorial team consistently maintains a fair, meticulous, and constructive approach during the review process, aiming to provide authors with valuable feedback to support the continuous advancement of their research. Moving forward, we will continue to uphold our steadfast commitment to academic excellence and publish more high-quality articles.

Professional Reviewers: In 2024, 48 manuscripts were assigned to peer review. A total of 104 reviewers from 33 countries and regions (Figure 4) contributed to the journal’s reviewing work, with a high proportion of reviewers from the United States, Turkey, and China. The average H-index of the reviewers was 17. On average, each manuscript could receive 2.7 valid review comments.

Figure 4. Country distribution of reviewers in 2024

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the reviewers who have generously contributed their time and expertise to support our journal. Their dedication and meticulous efforts in the peer review process are invaluable, ensuring the quality and integrity of the articles we published. The success of a peer-reviewed journal hinges on the commitment of our reviewers, who play a pivotal role in advancing scholarly communication and maintaining the highest standards of academic excellence. A special thanks to our reviewers for being an integral part of our mission.

Editorial Board Development

New Board Members: In 2024, the editorial board welcomed 7 new members, including 5 associate editors and 2 editorial board members, with an average H-index of 36.85. They have contributed to the journal by submitting high-quality manuscripts, editing special issues, and serving as academic editors, infusing new vitality into the journal’s development. This year, we also welcome more experts to join our editorial board and work alongside other members to collectively advance the field.

Figure 5. Newly-joined board members in 2024

Current Situation of Editorial Board: The current editorial board consists of 47 members, including 19 associate editors and 28 editorial board members, with an average H-index of 33.78. The board members come from 20 countries regions. The country distribution is shown below (Figure 6):

Figure 6. Country distribution of EMD editorial board

Contribution of Board Members: Among the members, 19 contributed to the journal in 2024 by submitting manuscripts, guest-editing special issues, promoting the journal at academic conferences, serving as academic editors, and reviewing manuscripts, resulting in a contribution rate of 40%. For example, Prof. Jürgen Braun, as our associate editor, contributed 4 manuscripts, guest-edited a special issue and handled 3 manuscripts as academic editor (AE). Prof. Valderilio Azevedo guest-edited 1 special issue, invited 4 manuscripts and handled 5 manuscripts as AE. During the initial stages, the contributions of our board members have been pivotal. We hereby express our sincere gratitude to all board members for their unwavering support, which has laid a solid foundation for the journal’s future growth.

International Conference Collaborations

Since the journal’s establishment, we have implemented promotional incentives to encourage our board members and guest editors to promote the journal at international academic events, thereby enhancing its global visibility. In 2024, our guest editor, Prof. Ashok N. Johari, promoted his special issue, “Innovation in Orthopedics”, along with the journal at two orthopedic conferences in China and India. Prof. Johari not only distributed journal flyers but also introduced his special issue during his presentation. 

Figure 7. EMD at an orthopedic conference hosted by the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital

(Newsletter: https://www.explorationpub.com/Journals/emd/News_Letter#section2)

Figure 8. EMD at the 69th Annual Conference of the Indian Orthopaedic Association

(Newsletter: https://www.explorationpub.com/Journals/emd/News_Letter#section1)

We have strived to increase the presence of EMD at more international academic events, raising its profile within the field and making it known and understood by scholars worldwide. Moving forward, we will continue to actively explore opportunities for conference collaborations and look forward to the participation of our board members and guest editors in this process, working together to enhance the journal’s visibility.

Special Issue Impact

In 2024, we launched 7 special issues focusing on hot topics within the field of musculoskeletal diseases, such as biosimilars in rheumatic diseases, innovation in orthopedics, etc. Several special issues were popular in 2024, attracting numerous submissions from authors, including many high-quality articles. For example, the special issue “Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Management of Gout”, guest-edited by Prof. George Nuki, has received 13 submissions and published 7 high-quality articles. The special issue “Biosimilars: State of the Art in the Treatment of Rheumatic Diseases”, guest-edited by Prof. Valderilio Feijó Azevedo, received 11 submissions in 2024. When we solicited contributions for this special issue, many researchers expressed their interests in the topic and were willing to contribute their manuscripts.

Figure 9. Popular special issues in 2024

Additionally, 4 special issues were completed in 2024. These special issues received widespread attention and support upon their release, with each issue attracting approximately 20 submission intentions and around 15 submissions on average. The articles published in these special issues have also been gradually cited. Explore them at https://www.explorationpub.com/Journals/emd/Special_Issues.

Figure 10. Completed special issues in 2024

Goals and Plans for 2025

Sustained Growth in Submissions and Publications

In 2025, we aim to continue expanding the journal’s reach by attracting a higher volume of high-quality submissions from researchers worldwide. Our goal is to maintain a steady increase in both the number of submissions and published articles, ensuring a diverse and impactful collection of work.

Publishing High-Quality Articles

A core focus for 2025 will be to uphold and elevate the standard of published articles by prioritizing originality, rigor, and relevance. We will continue to implement rigorous peer-review practices and leverage the expertise of our editorial board to select and publish cutting-edge research. Additionally, we plan to curate special issues on emerging topics, encouraging contributions that address current challenges and innovations.

Enhancing Citations and Preparing for Database Indexing

To strengthen the journal’s academic influence, we will actively work to increase the citation impact of our published articles. This includes encouraging authors to share their work, and collaborating with academic networks to amplify visibility. These efforts will not only boost the journal’s citation metrics but also lay a solid foundation for applying to major databases such as Scopus, PubMed and SCI, further cementing our reputation as a trusted platform for scholarly exchange.

Expanding Outreach and Promoting the Journal

In 2025, we will intensify our efforts to promote the journal through targeted campaigns, participation in international conferences, or collaborations with academic institutions. By increasing our presence at global academic events and leveraging digital platforms, we aim to raise the journal’s profile and attract a broader audience. We also encourage our authors, board members and guest editors to actively promote the journal within their networks, contributing to its growing recognition and impact in the academic community.

EMD Editorial Office

Contact us: emdjournal@explorationpub.com

EMD Website: https://www.explorationpub.com/Journals/emd

Submission Link: https://emd.aressystem.com/

2024 Annual Report for EMD.pdf