editor's annual report for 1979–1980 (volume 8)

2
89 ent. Information is arranged in three groups: Individuals, Organizations, and Government Offices. Assembled from several publications that list such groups, consumer newsletters, and Consumer Union staff members, the guide includes groups from every state, em- phasizes consumer functions, and includes any restrictions on a collection. Public Benefits and the Elderly Whether the needs of the minority elderly have an equal share in public benefits as com- pared to the non-minority elderly is investi- gated in &dquo;Perspective on Equitable Share in Public Benefits by Minority Elderly,&dquo; Admin- istration on Aging Grant 90-A-1671, by David Guttmann. Findings indicate that with the ex- ception of social security, medicare, medicaid, senior nutrition, home-based and day care programs, all other benefits are little known and even less used by the minority elderly. Half the population studied did not read Eng- lish newspapers, and 30% could not read and write in English. The report demonstrated that the non-minority elderly have more in- formation and knowledge of assistance and use significantly more public benefits than do elderly Hispanics and Asians, but somewhat less than elderly Blacks. The research recom- mends that programs better publicize bene- fits, translating documents, communications, regulations, forms, etc. into the languages used by the minority elderly. Service providers are urged to ascertain the cultural and psy- chological reasons for reticence in using pub- lic benefits and to enlist neighborhood-based ethnic organizations in service dissemination. Copies of the report may be obtained from the Center for the Study of Pre-retirement and Aging, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064. Editor’s Annual Report for 1979-1980 (Volume 8) The status of papers submitted during 1979 is summarized in Table 1. The total number of papers is higher than that for 1978 when only 88 papers were submitted. The accep- tance rate (22 % ) is slightly lower than last year, but this may reflect the slightly slower rate of resubmission of manuscripts returned to authors for major revision (40% in 1979 vs. 47% in 1978). Some of these manuscripts will kprobably be accepted during the current year. The rejection rate on first review was just slightly lower than that in 1978 (43% in 1979 vs. 47% in 1978). Volume 8 is the second volume with six issues, but with Volume 9, we will return to the original format of four issues. Financial exigencies were a part of the decision, but we plan to publish essentially the same amount of textual material as in Volume 8. Transfer of editorial responsibilities to Dr. S. J. Ritchey and Dr. Rebecca P. Lovingood began in November 1979, when they began to handle the review of new manuscripts. The transfer is essentially complete as of July 1, 1980. As I conclude my editorial term, I want toy

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Page 1: Editor's Annual Report for 1979–1980 (Volume 8)

89

ent. Information is arranged in three groups:Individuals, Organizations, and GovernmentOffices. Assembled from several publicationsthat list such groups, consumer newsletters,and Consumer Union staff members, the

guide includes groups from every state, em-phasizes consumer functions, and includes

any restrictions on a collection.

Public Benefits and the ElderlyWhether the needs of the minority elderly

have an equal share in public benefits as com-pared to the non-minority elderly is investi-

gated in &dquo;Perspective on Equitable Share inPublic Benefits by Minority Elderly,&dquo; Admin-istration on Aging Grant 90-A-1671, by DavidGuttmann. Findings indicate that with the ex-ception of social security, medicare, medicaid,senior nutrition, home-based and day careprograms, all other benefits are little known

and even less used by the minority elderly.Half the population studied did not read Eng-lish newspapers, and 30% could not read andwrite in English. The report demonstratedthat the non-minority elderly have more in-formation and knowledge of assistance anduse significantly more public benefits than doelderly Hispanics and Asians, but somewhatless than elderly Blacks. The research recom-mends that programs better publicize bene-fits, translating documents, communications,regulations, forms, etc. into the languagesused by the minority elderly. Service providersare urged to ascertain the cultural and psy-chological reasons for reticence in using pub-lic benefits and to enlist neighborhood-basedethnic organizations in service dissemination.Copies of the report may be obtained fromthe Center for the Study of Pre-retirement andAging, The Catholic University of America,Washington, DC 20064.

Editor’s Annual Reportfor 1979-1980 (Volume 8)

The status of papers submitted during 1979is summarized in Table 1. The total numberof papers is higher than that for 1978 whenonly 88 papers were submitted. The accep-tance rate (22 % ) is slightly lower than lastyear, but this may reflect the slightly slowerrate of resubmission of manuscripts returnedto authors for major revision (40% in 1979 vs.47% in 1978). Some of these manuscripts willkprobably be accepted during the current year.The rejection rate on first review was justslightly lower than that in 1978 (43% in 1979vs. 47% in 1978).

Volume 8 is the second volume with six

issues, but with Volume 9, we will return tothe original format of four issues. Financialexigencies were a part of the decision, but weplan to publish essentially the same amount oftextual material as in Volume 8.

Transfer of editorial responsibilities to Dr.S. J. Ritchey and Dr. Rebecca P. Lovingoodbegan in November 1979, when they began tohandle the review of new manuscripts. Thetransfer is essentially complete as of July 1,1980.As I conclude my editorial term, I want toy

Page 2: Editor's Annual Report for 1979–1980 (Volume 8)

90

thank the reviewers, both on the EditorialBoard and &dquo;outside&dquo; reviewers, includingthose for 1979 who are listed in Table 2. Theycontribute their time and expertise in theevaluation of manuscripts and play a crucialrole in maintaining the standards of the Re-searchJournal.

These standards begin, of course, with theauthors who are presenting the results of theirresearch. I have enjoyed working with theauthors. I have learned from them.

I want to thank, also, the members of the

Policy Board who served during my editorialterm. I appreciate their support and concern.I have also appreciated the assistance of theheadquarters staff. Finally, I have appreci-ated the support I have received here at myown institution. All of these groups havemade my editorial task more pleasant.What, beyond the statistics shown in this

year’s tables and the similar tables that I haveprepared each year, can I say about trends inhome economics research. First, of course,home economics research is broadly based sothat I would not venture to comment on trendsin a subject matter sense. Nevertheless, under-lying all the subject matters are advances inresearch techniques and in data analysis.These advances, in many cases, are applicableto several subject matter areas so that theyserve as a common link among apparently dis-similar subject matter areas. I hope the Re-search Journal has helped to bring these tech-niques before a variety of research workers.Second, home economics research contributesto the research base from which the profes-sion draws as it synthesizes and applies knowl-edge in the field whether for further research,teaching or policy decisions. I hope the Re-searchJournal has contributed to this researchbase by presenting the results of carefullyplanned, and analyzed research projects. It isobvious, then, that these objectives cannot beaccomplished without the researchers and the

Research Journal serves a facilitator role atvarious stages of the research enterprise.

-Joan Gordon

TABLE 1

Outcomes of reviews of papers submitted to theHome Economics Research Journal 1979, as of

July 15,1980

TABLE 2 .

Home Economics Research Journal outsidereviewers for calendar 1979