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ou do not have to do a chemical analysis to publish a paper in the research section of Analytical Chemistry. The preceding statement is not heresy! The discipline of analytical chemistry has a prominent basic measurement science component and an equally prominent component of developing and applying measurement concepts to real chemical systems. The journal seeks to provide an outlet for both. I quote from (and emphasize) our “Authors’ Guide to Analytical Chemistry” regarding research articles: “The journal is devoted to the dissemination of new and original knowledge in all branches of analytical chemistry. Fundamental articles may address the general principles of chemical measurement science and need not directly address existing or potential analytical methodology. Articles may be entirely theoretical with regard to analysis, or they may report experimental results that bear on theory. Articles may contribute to any phase of analytical operations, including sampling, chemical reactions, separations, instrumentation, measurements, and data processing. Articles dealing with known analytical methods should offer either a significant, original application of the method, a noteworthy improvement, or results of an important analyte.” The above words represent the core values of this journal and are followed by the Editors. This editorial seeks to publicize that. Analytical Chemistry welcomes basic measurement science submissions that don’t analyze, and equally welcomes applications papers that offer noteworthy improvements or results on important analytes. In sending these papers for review, reviewer responses sometimes contain the criticism that the paper is not acceptable to Analytical Chemistry because only principles are discussed and no analysis is demonstrated.
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Clearly, that is not our policy. A similar reviewer criticism is that the paper presents acceptable science, but the topic is more appropriate for another journal. However, generally, if a paper is sent for review, the Editor has already decided that the topic is appropriate; if the topic is not appropriate, it is declined without review. I urge the reviewer to instead focus on the originality and quality of the research presented, and we sincerely thank you for your insights. The ACS Publications Division’s Paragon submission system is bringing large numbers of submissions from new authors. When the paper is about an analytical application, our new authors sometimes miss the meaning of the last sentence in the guidelines quoted. If the application offers an improvement, then the standards and capabilities of the prior literature must be cited for the competing modes of measurement. Reviewers generally comment negatively if this is not done. Procedures for analyses are the heart and soul of applied analytical chemistry. Analytical Chemistry wishes to publish those that are demonstrably at the forefront of analytical capabilities, and that pioneer in sensitivity, selectivity, sampling, calibration, instrumentation, separation, data processing, and in air, water, land, or sea. We welcome submissions that do this. We equally welcome authors with reports of original new ideas for measurements—be they cast in theory, instrumentation, physical phenomena, new chemistry and materials, at equilibrium, or based in kinetics. As in any endeavor, whether assembling a child’s toy or a new stove or a pH meter, reading the instructions is a good idea. I respectfully request that of authors and reviewers.
© 2004 AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
