ITP-JITP Governing Document
Focus of the Journal of Information Technology and Politics
The Information Technology and Politics (ITP) section and the Journal of Information
Technology and Politics (JITP) share broad theoretical and empirical interests in the
ways in which information technology is affecting, or may affect, all areas of politics and
governance. The purpose of the ITP section is to provide a forum for members with an
interest in the use of computers, the Internet, and multimedia in teaching, research, and
policy applications in political science and all related subfields and disciplines. This goal
is closely aligned with those of the primary objectives of the Journal of Information
Technology and Politics, which are to:
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promote a better understanding of how evolving information technologies interact
with political and governmental processes and outcomes at many levels;
encourage the development of governmental and political processes that employ
information technology in novel and interesting ways; and
foster the development of new information technology tools and theories that can
capture, analyze, and report on these developments.
Until 2006 the Journal of Information Technology and Politics title was the Journal of EGovernment. As a result of a survey of and consultation with several APSA sections,
the journal was renamed to better align it with the interests of the ITP section members
who expressed the greatest interests in a journal along broader lines.
The journal desires manuscripts with significant theoretical and empirical roots,
preferably in both political science and information technology, but should at least
contain significant content in both areas. The JITP is particularly interested in
manuscripts in three areas: how IT influences politics and government; how politics and
government influence the development and use of IT; and how IT can be, or is being,
used to advance research and teaching about politics and government, particularly in
political science. JITP welcomes and strongly encourages submissions based on
interdisciplinary approaches including (but not limited to) information and computer
sciences, law, geography, communications, economics, and sociology.
Management of the Journal
Publications Committee
A Publications Committee will be constituted with a minimum of three and maximum of
six members on the committee. Members of the Publications Committee will be
nominated by the section's membership and elected at the annual meeting to serve a
three-year term. Terms will be staggered, rotating members who have completed their
term on the committee every year. The Editor-in-Chief of the JITP will serve as a nonvoting ex officio member of the Publications Committee. The Editor-in-Chief’s
participation will be governed by their term and it will not count toward the maximum
size of the committee.
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The Publications Committee will be responsible for general oversight of the JITP
including management policies, financial decisions, and assurance of quality. These
include:
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implementing and overseeing the Information Technology and Politics section’s
charter with the APSA.
negotiating and implementing financial arrangements between the section and
Taylor and Francis, the journal’s publisher.
consulting on changes in journal policies and general management
recommended by the Editor/s-in-Chief that affect the goals or viability of the
section and ensuring that each is responsive to the other's concerns.
working with the Editor-in-Chief to promote and enhance the journal’s
professional stature and visibility, including advocating for financial and other
resources on behalf of the journal and its activities.
Editorial Positions and Succession
Editor-in-Chief
The position of Editor-in-Chief has a term of five years. Ordinarily this will be for 20
regular issues of the journal and any special issues that may be published. The Editorin-Chief may be renewed once with the approval of the Publications Committee.
When a new Editor-in-Chief is needed the Publications Committee will serve as a
search committee for the new Editor-in-Chief with the responsibility for drafting,
publicizing and disseminating the call for applications for the new Editor-in-Chief. The
Publications Committee will make their recommendation to the Senior Editorial Board.
The Senior Editorial Board will elect the new Editor-in-Chief. When a new Editor-inChief has been selected the Publications Committee will inform the section about the
new editor and term of office. If the Editor-in-Chief resigns before completing a five year
term a search for a new editor will begin immediately. If necessary the President of the
ITP section and the Publications Committee will find an interim replacement until the
search has been completed.
Associate Editors and Managing Editor
The number, function, and designation of the Associate and Managing Editors will be
determined by the Editor-in-Chief.
Senior Editorial Board
The Senior Editorial Board consists of a maximum of 20 members at least half of whom
must be members of the ITP section. The members are selected by and serve at the
pleasure of the Editor-in-Chief.
Full Editorial Board
The Full Editorial Board should consist of between 20 and 60 members who are
selected by and serve at the pleasure of the Editor-in-Chief. Full Editorial Board
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members are expected to perform a greater than average number of reviews each year.
They will be asked to participate in discussions of journal governance issues.
Succession of Editorial Boards
Members of both boards continue to serve for the first year of the term of a new Editorin-Chief. Thereafter, the new Editor-in-Chief renews or replaces members of both
boards whose terms will be five years.
Financial Feasibility and Membership Impact
The association between the ITP section and the JTIP must contribute to the stature of
the section, which includes attracting new members to the section. Thus, it is the
responsibility of the journal as well as the section to work jointly on this effort.
The financial arrangements between the section and journal should be flexible enough
to not threaten the financial viability of the section. Taylor & Francis will revisit the fee in
collaboration with ITP and journal leadership if the section membership surpasses 450
or falls below 300. If the section determines that the adoption of a journal threatens the
financial security of the section, it will contractually reserve the right to terminate the
financial arrangement upon satisfaction of any outstanding liability.
Since the APSA faces legal liability in journal arrangements with outside entities, ITP
acknowledges it is also appropriate that APSA be a signatory to any contractual
arrangements for such journals. Said contracts must include:
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language conveying the idea that the Section is not an agent of the APSA and
does not possess authority to act as APSA's agent.
the following clause: In the event of any claim arising from or relating to the
section's entering into this contract, any recovery shall be limited to the section's
assets and shall exclude the separate assets of APSA.
language stating that the selection of facts and statements of the opinion
expressed in materials appearing in the section's journal represent the views of
the author and have not been adopted or approved by the APSA or its
membership. This language should be prominently displayed in each issue of the
journal.
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