Editorial pubs.acs.org/cm
Methods/ProtocolsA New Article Type in Chemistry of Materials
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level of detail, there is no set length, but it is anticipated that each article will comprise 4−10 published pages, and perhaps longer if necessary. As background information, the special issue on methods and protocols, mentioned above, contained papers that varied in length from 5 pages to 10 pages, or longer (one was 60+ pages).5 The Supporting Information section should include video, photographs of apparatus and of the experiments themselves (in progress), and other items of interest. The following serves as a working outline for the manuscript. Abstract. Detailed abstract with a helpful and graphically attractive table of contents (ToC) image. Introduction. Start with a brief review of the areawhy is this method or protocol important? Describe the context, the key references (10−20 citations, or more), and background as to why this method/protocol would be of broad interest to the materials chemistry community. Materials or Theory Used. What compounds and materials would be used, and why? For theory papers, which computational methods were chosen, and why? Procedure. Detailed description of the procedures, with an emphasis on providing nuanced written details, videos, images, and warnings about potential risks with respect to safety. Direct links to videos, contained within the Supporting Information, can be inserted into both the PDF and the html versions of the published paper. Troubleshooting and Safety. It is often the subtleties of an experimental procedure that can lead to irreproducibility. The troubleshooting section provides helpful hints and describes potential pitfalls. Please also indicate potential materials or procedures that may present a hazard or risk to the user.
n January of 2017, we launched a new manuscript type called Methods/Protocols, to provide an avenue for authors to describe new and enabling methods and protocols of broad interest to the materials chemistry community (Figure 1). The goal of this flavor of manuscript is the promotion of reproducibility and facile duplication of research by those skilled in the art, and to encourage and promote high standards.1,2 These Methods/Protocols manuscripts will start with a short review of the area, followed by detailed descriptions of procedures that include videos3 and photographs of apparatus (for laboratory research) or in-depth information about computational methods (for modeling of materials, materials genomics, etc.), helpful insights, “insider” advice, and warnings about potential pitfalls and safety concerns. We hope that these manuscripts, which will appear as regular articles in the journal, will be of particular utility to young scientists, who often are the hands in the laboratory repeating published methods.4 We encourage the involvement of those carrying out the hands-on research in the drafting of the manuscripts. The launch of this new manuscript type follows on the heels of our special issue devoted to methods and protocols in materials chemistry, issue #1 of 2017.5 Over 30 groups described their area of expertise in far more detail than would normally appear in a typical experimental section through the use of video and photographs, and inclusion of nuanced descriptions. This special issue can serve as a reference point for those interested in writing up their new methods and protocols.
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OUTLINE OF THE METHODS/PROTOCOLS MANUSCRIPT Because every method and protocol, and area of materials chemistry, will have different requirements with respect to the
Figure 1. Screenshot from the ACS Publications ScholarOne manuscript submission page for Chemistry of Materials, showing the choice for manuscript type. Published: January 24, 2017 © 2017 American Chemical Society
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DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.6b05481 Chem. Mater. 2017, 29, 475−476
Chemistry of Materials
Editorial
Characterization. Methods used to characterize the materials, with mention of possible other characterization methods, and insights with respect to development of methods in the future. Discussion. Wrap up the manuscript and provide the bigger picture and/or connections to other areas that may be of interest or of importance. Do you anticipate use of this method or protocol in other areas of research? Conclusions. Final thoughts and overview. Supporting Information. As mentioned, please use this section to include video, photographs, and other items that will help future users duplicate this research. We look forward to your methods and protocols papers, and as always, we are happy to hear from you.
Jillian M. Buriak, Editor-in-Chief
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AUTHOR INFORMATION
ORCID
Jillian M. Buriak: 0000-0002-9567-4328 Notes
Views expressed in this editorial are those of the author and not necessarily the views of the ACS.
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REFERENCES
(1) McNutt, M. Reproducibility. Science 2014, 343, 229. (2) Baker, M. Is There a Reproducibility Crisis? Nature 2016, 533, 452−454. (3) Björnmalm, M.; Faria, M.; Caruso, F. Advancing Research Using Action Cameras. Chem. Mater. 2016, 28, 8441−8442. (4) Buriak, J. M.; Korgel, B. The Experimental Section: The Key to Longevity of Your Research. Chem. Mater. 2014, 26, 1765−1766. (5) Buriak, J. M. Preface to the Special Issue on Methods and Protocols in Materials Chemistry. Chem. Mater. 2017, 29, 1−2.
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DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.6b05481 Chem. Mater. 2017, 29, 475−476
