EDITORIAL
Recognizing Innovation The dictionary defines research as "the systematic inquiry into a subject in order to discover or revise facts, theories, etc." Scientists have long recognized two broad categories of research: innovative and pedestrian. As might be expected, there is no shortage of routine investigations that incrementally add to our body of knowledge, but the papers that blaze trails appear to be in short supply. It is hard to believe that there is a shortage of superior researchers in any given field. Perhaps part of the problem lies in the process of publication of novel and sometimes radical ideas. Most reputable scientific research journals depend heavily on the peer review system for screening manuscripts, and there is a tendency for many reviewers to favor routine and safely conventional work over more provocative studies. A small number of reviewers may even feel threatened by the appearance of new ideas or approaches that invade their territorial expertise. It is the editors' responsibility to identify and encourage the publication of important new research.
A N A L Y T I C A L C H E M I S T R Y , which publishes results of original research in all areas of the discipline, has consistently tried to maintain a strong peer review system to ensure a high level of quality of papers and over the years has published a number of milestone papers that have greatly influenced science. A significant number of authors of papers in our JOURNAL have gone on to receive a number of prestigious awards, including one or two Nobel prizes. Although the editors are always on the lookout for innovative studies and are prepared to facilitate their publication, it is the authors' responsibility to present well documented and scientifically sound manuscripts. They should anticipate and specifically address concerns that reviewers may have regarding the validity and significance of the proposed topics.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, VOL. 60, NO. 17, SEPTEMBER 1, 1988 · 953 A
