About the Journal
Since this is the 50th anniversary year of this Journal, perhaps the time is ripe to consider once again our policies and goals, and to seek the advice and ideas of readers on how we can improve. From its inception, the primary goal of the JOURNAL has been to provide chemistry teachers with information, ideas, and materials for improving and updating their background and their understanding of the science, and for helping them in their teaching and in their effectiveness in developing the talents of students. The central idea here is that this should he not only a "living textbook of chemistry" as one of the early editors put it, but a perpetual and dependable learning source for chemists who teach. There were (and are) other eoals as well. such as ~ r o viding an outlet, not a;ailable'thmugh other puhlica~ons of the profession. for authors of Daoers on chemical education, and as a source of continuing education for chemists outside academe. In moving toward these goals, editors have consistently reaffirmed two early policies: a ) that reader interest and need would claim priority over that of authors, though authors' rights and interests would be scrupulously respected; and b) the JOURNAL would not accept manuscripts reporting original research in chemistry or in other natural sciences; it would, of course, accept suitable manuscripts reporting research in chemical education. The first of these policies arises out of recognition that the JOURNAL must serve a wide variety of individuals in quite dissimilar jobs and situations. Obviously then, there is a need to maintain balance among the kinds of manuscripts published so that various groups of subscribers can be accommodated. The second policy affirms both the fact that this is not a primary journal and the belief of editors and others who have considered this, that original research should he published in the primary literature where the experts in the field are most likely to see and respond to it. Next to the quality of manuscripts, the matter of halance is probably the most critical of all editorial considerations. No editor has been satisfied with his efforts to maintain the kind of balance readers have requested, largely because the number and content of good manuscripts received are never in harmonv with the desires and expectations of various reader groups. Nearly all manuscripts published fall into one of five categories; however, within-each category there are papers oriented toward particular groups of readers. The categories are: 1) reviews of chemical topics; 2) descriptions of course or curriculum revision or innovation; 3) teaching methods including experiments, demonstrations, apparatus and equipment; 4) history and philosophy; 5) applica-
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tions of chemical knowledge. A manuscript in any of these categories may he oriented toward certain reader groups such as secondary school or lower division college teachers or those in any of the several subdivisions ofchemistry. Good manuscripts illustrating applications of chemical knowledge and reviews of chemicai topics written for secondary school teachers are the hardest to come by. Those on highly specialized topics, and any that would be of interest only to narrow groups of specialists are difficult to justify. The current policy here is that review manuscripts on subject matter suitable for first year graduate level courses and below will be considered for publication, but those representing greater specialization than this should be submitted elsewhere. All manuscripts considered for publication are reviewed, and in general, the objective and defensible advice of reviewers serves as the basis for decisions on acceptance or return of manuscripts. Whenever possible, the reviewer's comments are passed on to authors and when a paper is returned, the editor's reasons for his decision are spelled out in a letter. Because it has been difficult to get suitable manuscripts directed toward certain groups or interests of readers, regular monthlv features were bemn. Reeular readers are familiar with, "Topics in Chemical Instrumentation," "Safetv in the Chemical Laboratorv." "Textbook Errors." "Tested Demonstrations," h he mi& Principles ~ x e m ~ l i fied," "Eco Chem," "Notes on Nomenclature" and others. Features such as "Provocative Opinion" and "Impact" were added in the hope of making the JOURNAL more "personalized" as well as more useful. Despite the fact that advertising-which amounts to well over half of the JOURNAL'S income-has decreased steadily and substantially since 1968, and despite a drop in annual net revenue in excess of 15% over the period 1968-1972, the number of editorial pages and the number of articles published per year have increased. In 1967 for example, we published 300 articles in 774 pages; in 1971 and 1972 we published 428 and 463 articles, respectively, each year in 852 pages. However, inflation and increasing costs now have caught up with us and, unless we can substantially increase our income by additional subscriptions or advertising, we shall have to reduce the number of editorial pages. The primary purpose of this editorial is not to make a plea for subscriptions, though we certainly would appreciate any help we can get from our readers in this connection. Our purpose is to reaffirm our desire to make the JOURNAL as helpful and sienificant as nossihle. and to seek your advice and assistance in doing so. Any thoughts and sueeestions will be matefullv received and thouehtful" ly considered. WTL
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Volume 50, Number 10, October 1973
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657
