analytical chemistry EDITOR: GEORGE H. MORRISON EDITORIAL HEADQUARTERS 1155 Sixteenth St., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036 Phone: 202-872-4570 Teletype: 710-8220 151 Executive
Editor: Josephine M. Petruzzi
Associate
Editors: Stuart A. Borman,
Marcia S. Vogel Assistant Editors: Rani A. George, Louise Voress Production
Manager: Leroy L. Corcoran
Art Director: Alan Kahan Designer:
Sharon Harris Wolfgang
Production
Editor: Gail M. Mortenson
Circulation:
Cynthia G. Smith
Journals Dept., Columbus, Ohio Associate
Head: Marianne Brogan
Associate
Editor: Rodney L. Temos
Advisory Board: Joel A. Carter, Richard S. Danchik, Dennis H. Evans, Jack W. Frazer, Helen M. Free, William R. Heineman, Harry S. Hertz, Roland F. Hirsch, Csaba Horvath, Atsushi Mizuike, Thomas C. O'Haver, Melvin W. Redmond, Jr., Herbert L. Retcofsky, Martin A. Rudat, Wilhelm Simon, Charles L. Wilkins Instrumentation Advisory Panel: M. Bonner Denton, Raymond E. Dessy, Larry R. Faulkner, Michael L. Gross, F. James Holler, Peter N. Keliher, Curt Reimann, D. Warren Vidrine, Andrew T. Zander Contributing Dessy
Editor, AIC Interlace:
Raymond E.
The Analytical Approach Advisory Panel: Edward C. Dunlop, Robert A. Hofstader, Wilbur D. Shults Regulatory Affairs, Analytical Division Committee: Curt W. Reimann (Chairman) Published by the AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 1155 16th Street, N.W. Washington, D C . 20036 Books and Journals Division Director:
D. H. Michael Bowen
Journals:
Charles R. Bertsch
Production: Research
Elmer Pusey, Jr. and Development:
Categories of Papers Every few years a fuzziness develops in the minds of authors and reviewers regarding the categories used in our journal for submitted manuscripts. This ambiguity results in problems in the review process that can, to a great extent, be avoided by referring to the Manuscript Requirements guide, published in each January issue, or to the instructions sent to reviewers. A revised set of instructions is being distributed to reviewers to reinforce the main emphasis of the respective categories of manuscripts, i.e., Research Papers, Aids for Analytical Chemists, and Correspondence. Authors should refer directly to the guide mentioned above. Of particular concern is the differentiation between Research Papers and Aids. Some authors send us papers on small increments of work they feel are not substantive enough for full paper treatment and ask for review as an Aid. Two reviewers may judge the same manuscript differently. One may decide that the material does not qualify as an Aid and not review the paper. The other reviewer may accept the idea that the paper does not qualify as a Research Paper but does have something to offer, so he reviews the paper and indicates that it is acceptable as an Aid. Obviously, the two reviewers are using different criteria for judgment, and the assistance of another review is sought. To correct this situation our revised instructions to reviewers are as follows: Research Papers. The length of research papers should reflect the amount of new information presented. The same criteria should apply to all research contributions regardless of length. Those research contributions, including short papers, not meeting the criteria of originality, technical content, and value to the field for publication as research papers should not be judged and relegated to any other category unless the contributions meet the established criteria for these categories. Thus, Aids as well as Correspondence have distinct and special criteria as noted below. Aids for Analytical Chemists. Brief descriptions of novel apparatus or techniques, requiring real ingenuity on the part of the author, and offering definite advantages over similar ones already available. Correspondence. Included are (a) discussion of a published article, and (b) brief disclosure of new analytical concepts offered to establish priority, which the authors may or may not plan to continue. If authors and reviewers follow the above guidelines we will eliminate possible misunderstandings.
Lorrin R. Garson
Manuscript requirements are published in the January 1984 issue, page 123. Manuscripts for publication (4 copies) should be submitted to A N A L Y T I C A L C H E M I S T R Y at the ACS
Washington
address. The American Chemical Society and its editors assume no responsibility for the statements and opinions advanced by contributors. Views expressed in the editorials are those of the editors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the American Chemical Society.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY,
V O L . 56, NO. 9, A U G U S T
1984
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