Editorial

Thirty

Seven years ago, I began what was to become a long journey, Editor of the Alberta Journal of Educational Research. It has been a most enjoyable journey, with much learning and meeting many people both in person and virtually. Indeed, time has passed all too quickly. In perusing the tenure of former Editors, I find that my term of seven years is second only to that of the second Editor, Herbert E. Smith, second Dean of the Faculty of Education, University of Alberta. Dr. Smith was Editor between 1957 and 1965 and undertook the duty as a retirement project. Such was not the case with me. Apart from a 50-year span between Dr. Smith’s first year as Editor and my last year as Editor, there have been many changes in how ajer is prepared, and most of these have occurred during my time. Although computer technology was around even in Dr. Smith’s time, correspondence, reviewing, and dissemination of ajer was achieved solely through paper-based means. Advances in the usability and versatility of microcomputers, plus the burgeoning of the Internet, meant that much of ajer’s operations could be carried out by computer and electronic dissemination. Although the typesetting has been done using computers for several years, most of the correspondence was carried out using paper and mail. Now, with few exceptions, almost all correspondence and reviewing is done electronically. This has not only reduced costs, but has improved the speed of communication. The creation of ajer’s Web site means that knowledge of the journal is now available to almost all areas of the world. Although it might seem that the next logical step would be to dispense with the paper-based journal, this step will not be forthcoming for several reasons. Some subscribers and libraries either prefer or require paper-based copy, and the cost of offering both an electronic and a paper-based version of the journal is far in excess of ajer’s budget. There is also the long-term consideration of archival record. As I noted in one of my first editorials, try reading a program or data from a reel-to-reel data tape. If the tape has not deteriorated, one would still be hard pressed to find a suitable tape-reader and software that could decode the data as intended. Nevertheless, it is likely that changes in technology will change ajer in the future.

To be sure, although I was and remain a full-time faculty member, I could not have kept ajer going without the tremendous support of many individuals. First of all, I must offer special thanks to Edie Peters, the Editorial Assistant. To say that she has been my “right hand” would be an understatement. Although her assignment to ajer is only part of her duties, she was always there for me and made sure that routine inquiries were dealt with and that any critical or unexpected event came to my attention immediately. When the pressures of ajer combined with the pressures of my other duties, Edie always had a kind and encouraging word. I am also grateful for the support of Joyce Hiller and the other staff in the Office of the Dean. Whenever requested, their help was always forthcoming. My colleague Ingrid Johnston has graciously served as Book Review Editor. Taking on this duty has meant that there is always at least one book review ready for each issue of the journal. Naomi Stinson, the Copy Editor, ever reliable and solid, ensured that each issue was properly typeset and ready for the printer. In addition, the silent but critical work of Karen McFarlane, the Proofreader, and that of Dorine Chalifoux, the Translator, was always done consistently and reliably.

To the Consulting Editors, I thank each of you for your kind, helpful, and consistent support. No matter what I had to contend with, I knew that I could always rely on the Consulting Editors for support. You comprise the life and spirit of ajer and have provided impeccable reviews and suggestions for reviewers. Indeed, the many individuals who have undertaken reviews for ajer during my time as Editor have been solicited from around the world and have ranged from high-profile researchers to graduate students early on in their exciting journey of research. This relationship between the reviewers and ajer has been most beneficial. Not only have the reviewers assisted ajer’s review process, but they have helped spread knowledge of the journal. My acknowledgments would not be complete without recognizing the advice and support of some previous Editors of ajer, Julia Ellis, Beth Young, Judy Cameron, and Rob Short.

As for me, my journey as Editor comes to an end. Other duties and commit­ments, plus my extraordinarily long time as Editor, mean that it is time for my successor to assume the demanding but enjoyable role of Editor. I am pleased to announce that Larry Prochner of the Department of Elementary Education will be the new Editor. I feel certain that with the support I have enjoyed, Larry will ensure that ajer continues to grow and enjoy its fine reputation.

G. H. Buck

The word or number 30 was used by telegraphers and newspaper editors to indicate the end of either a communication or a sequence.

Copyright © AJER, the Faculty of Education, and the University of Alberta, 2007.
Last revised: July 27, 2007

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