The first issue of this journal was published in May, 1999 to accomplish the following long- and short-term objectives
The short-term goals include the active promotion of the professional field of social work in Taiwan and the provision of a forum for academic exchange in addition to raising the professionalism of social work by stimulating discussions and publication of articles about social work and social welfare related issues by academic experts.
In the long run, we aim to enhance the international exposure of local academic research to give international scholars and practitioners in related fields fast and convenient access to the research results in the field of social work in Taiwan. We also strive to promote international academic exchange and raise the international reputation of local research in the field of social work
Current progress
The journal provides national and international professional communities in the field of social work and social welfare with an important forum for the sharing and exchange of research results. Despite the fact that the journal is published by the Department of Social Work at National Taiwan University, it serves as a very important medium for the sharing of academic and practical contributions in the field of social work and social welfare all over Taiwan.
Besides serving academic communities in the fields of social work and social welfare, the journal also promotes the public image of National Taiwan University. Since 2010, it has been included in the list of journals of the Taiwan Social Science Citation Index（TSSCI） by the National Science Council several times in a row. On the other hand, the journal also garnered the highest number of citations in the National Science Council’s research on different periodicals in the field of social work and welfare. In addition, the journal is also an ideal medium for faculty assessment and promotion which has been approved by the College of Social Sciences. The journal’s achievements are as follows:
Since 2010 The journal has been included in the Taiwan Social Science Citation Index for several years in a row
Despite budget constraints, the journal is committed to promoting editorial work, quality review, and publication at regular intervals. Over the years, we have been able to create an image of stability and professionalism in these fields. Since 2010, we have been included in the list of academic journals of the Taiwan Social Science Citation Index.
NTU Social Work Review has been rated as the journal with the highest impact factor in the field of social work and social welfare by the National Science Council
In 2007, the National Science Council commissioned Professor Ray-May Hsung and three other scholars to conduct a research project on the publication status of professional journals in the field of social studies which found the following results:
The combined score of multiple subjective and objective assessments and citation numbers places NTU Social Work Review in the top ranking of social work journals (only if all sociology, social welfare, and social work related periodicals are included does the journal drop to a level 2 ranking). The journal also has the highest impact factor among all social work and social welfare academic journals. Even if sociology journals are included in the assessment, the journals still ranks third among all publications, following closely behind the two most renowned social science journals, Taiwan Sociology and Taiwanese Sociological Review.
The NTU College of Social Sciences rated the journal as a first-class publication for the faculty evaluation and promotion process
According to the ranking criteria for periodicals of the NTU College of Social Sciences which serve as a reference basis for the assessment of publications that are employed in the faculty evaluation and promotion process, the journal is ranked as a first-class publication. This important process of approval by the College of Social Sciences Review Committee and the College Faculty Evaluation Committee for periodicals published by the College which is subject to endorsement by the university has elevated the journal to a key publication in the evaluation and promotion process for professors.
The journal’s circulation has been raised both domestically and internationally
Besides providing each author with two free copies, free copies of the journal are also distributed to former members of the editorial board, overseas social work institutions, and current members of the review committee while an additional 17 copies are stored as required by government regulations (this includes the five copies that are stored in the NTU library). The journal is commercially distributed through subscriptions by individuals and organizations and is also on display in the bookstore of NTU University Press. In addition, the journal currently has cooperative agreements with four online database companies while the new digital format increases the circulation and improves the image of the journal. The reduction of printed copies is also in line with the global trend of carbon emission reduction.
Unique features
The journal is the only of its kind in Taiwan and primarily provides discussions of the professional field of social work and also examines social policies
The journal is published biannually in June and December and is published on a regular basis. The journal is the only publication in Taiwan that focuses on discussions of the professional field of social work. Articles in the journal emphasize the professional character of social work and practical matters. Due to the fact that practice models that are built on social work theories are supported by practical research, objective discussion, and sociological research methods, the journal is an ideal reference for the practice of social work.
High standards for article contributions and a strict and objective review process
The journal has developed a strict and anonymous bi-directional review process. Members of the editorial board jointly recommend candidates of high academic caliber who provide assistance in the impartial inspection and review process. Authors can be proud if their articles are accepted for publication, and authors whose articles are rejected will still be able to receive professional constructive comments. The journal provides national and international scholars in the field of social work and social welfare with a forum for academic interaction and approval. The whole review process is fair and impartial and the high standards have resulted in an article rejection rate of over 60% in recent years. This process provides rigorous scrutiny and encouragement to local and international scholars.
Increased international article submissions and internationalization of the review and editorial process
Besides article submissions from local scholars, the journal also publishes articles written by international scholars from England, HongKong, and Mainland China. Both national and international articles are subject to the same strict review process.
The review process itself has also been internationalized. The editorial board includes foreign scholars from HongKong, and international academics are often invited to serve as members of the review committee (please refer to the list of reviewers in every second issue). We have also enlisted international editorial consultants from internationally renowned universities (including UC Berkeley, USC, University of British Columbia, and University of HongKong). Very few academic journals in the field of social work and welfare in Taiwan have the same international outlook as NTU Social Work Review.
Online submission and review system
NTU Social Work Review is one of the first journals of its kind to introduce an online manuscript submission and review system (this system has been functional since Feb 1, 2012). This system helps raise the efficiency and transparency of the submission and review process and makes a contribution to reducing carbon emissions.
Future development vision and specific objectives
The journal currently receives a sufficient number of article submissions of a very high quality and has already been included in the list of journals of the Taiwan Social Science Citation Index. The editorial board has a strong lineup of ideal candidates and operates effectively, schedules regular meetings, and maintains close contact through E-meetings. It plays a very important role in the future development and progress of the journal and guarantees that the articles are professionally written and academically convincing and that the journal is supportive of the research community.
The specific objectives for future development are as follows:
Maintenance of a strict review process to raise the academic quality of the journal and guarantee its inclusion in the Taiwan Social Science Citation Index in the expectation that it will be included in international journal databases in the future.
Increase the citation rate of the journal through a new digital format and provide guidance for the journal’s articles and academic results to raise the quality and visibility of its articles.
Maintain and increase the number of articles published in every issue (issues from number 1 to 24 contained only 4 articles and since 2012 every issue contains 5 articles) and include a greater variety of articles.
5. Subscription and purchase information The journal is published biannually in June and December. Please feel free to contact the editorial board of NTU Social Work Review if you have any questions or wish to purchase a subscription. Tel：886-2-3366-1241 Fax：886-2-2368-0532 E-mail：ntuswreview@gmail.com
