American Journal of Political Science

American Journal of Political Science. It is a flagship quarterly peer-reviewed academic journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the Midwest Political Science Association. The journal publishes research across all major subfields of political science, including American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, and political methodology. Under the long-standing editorship of scholars like William G. Jacoby and current editor Jennifer L. Lawless, it is recognized as one of the most influential and methodologically rigorous journals in the discipline, consistently ranking among the top general-interest journals in the field.

History and background

The journal was established in 1957, originating from the Midwest Political Science Association which was founded to promote the professional study of political science in the United States. Its creation was part of a broader post-World War II expansion of social science research and professional academic associations. For much of its early history, it was closely associated with the University of Iowa and later Michigan State University, where early editorial offices were housed. A significant evolution occurred in 2005 when the publishing contract was awarded to Blackwell Publishing, which later merged with John Wiley & Sons to form Wiley-Blackwell, expanding its global distribution and digital presence. The journal's editorial home has since moved to various leading institutions, including the University of California, Davis and currently the University of Virginia.

Scope and editorial focus

The journal maintains a broad, generalist scope, seeking to publish theoretical, empirical, and methodological articles that advance knowledge across the entire spectrum of political science. Its editorial focus emphasizes analytical rigor, innovative research design, and substantive significance, with particular strength in quantitative and formal methodological approaches. While it covers traditional subfields like American politics and comparative politics, it also actively publishes work in emerging areas such as political psychology, political economy, and experimental political science. The journal is known for its commitment to methodological diversity and transparency, often featuring replication data and encouraging submissions that employ cutting-edge techniques from statistics and game theory.

Abstracting, indexing, and impact

The journal is abstracted and indexed in numerous major databases, including the Social Sciences Citation Index, Scopus, International Bibliography of the Social Sciences, and ProQuest. According to the Journal Citation Reports, it has consistently held one of the highest impact factors in the category of political science, with a 2022 impact factor of 8.391. It is ranked among the top five general-interest journals in the field by metrics from Google Scholar and is included in the Australian Research Council's list of premier scholarly outlets. Its high citation rates and influence metrics reflect its central role in shaping scholarly debates and setting methodological standards within the discipline, influencing research published in other leading journals like the American Political Science Review and the Journal of Politics.

Notable articles and contributions

The journal has published many seminal articles that have defined research agendas in political science. Influential works include foundational studies on congressional elections, the behavior of the U.S. Supreme Court, and theories of democratization and political institutions. Notable methodological contributions have advanced the use of experimental methods, causal inference, and spatial econometrics in political research. Articles published in the journal are frequently awarded prestigious prizes from associations like the American Political Science Association and are widely cited in major scholarly monographs and textbooks, cementing its reputation for publishing research of lasting significance that crosses subfield boundaries.

Editorial process and governance

The editorial process is overseen by a lead editor, currently Jennifer L. Lawless of the University of Virginia, who is appointed by the Midwest Political Science Association's executive council. The editor is supported by a team of associate editors, often leading scholars from institutions like Stanford University and the University of Michigan, who handle submissions in specific subfields. The journal employs a rigorous double-anonymous peer review process, utilizing a large board of scholars from across the global political science community. Governance and broad editorial policy are set in conjunction with the Midwest Political Science Association's publications committee, ensuring the journal remains aligned with the association's mission to disseminate high-quality political science research.

Category:Political science journals Category:Publications established in 1957 Category:English-language journals Category:Quarterly journals