INDUSTRIAL A N D ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY PUBLISHED BY THE A M E R I C A N C H E M I C A L S O C I E T Y W A L T E R J. M U R P H Y ,
EDITOR
Editorial Policies OTHING
is certain in the field of cliemistr) but chaage. Certain13 the
N field of anal) tical chemistry has been no exception during the past dtmde. although perhaps the changes, revolulionary as the) are to the
anal) st, have not been given the spectacular recognition accorded nea developments in industrial chemistry. Tlir cditorial policies of the ANALYTICAL EDITION have been determilied solel) on the basis of meeting promptly and efficiently the changing reyuirements of the analytical chemist and analytical chemistry. The innovations that should be introduced hale been the subject of many earnest deliberations by the editors and the Ad\isory Board of the ANALY~ICAL EDITIOS. This is particularly true of the past three years, when the board has been active and has met at regular and frequent intervals. .istatenlent a t this time outlining the present aims and purposes of the journal nil1 serve a most useful function, clarif3ing for our readers the views and policies of the editors. Your editor, Associate Editor L. T. Hallet t, and Assistant Editors G. Gladys Gordon and Stella Anderson ha\ e cooperated in the preparation of three statements hihich we hope mill bc read, digested, and commented on. The first, discussing the scope of the journal, appears on page 218 of this issue; the second, describing stile requirements, mill be published in the May issue, and this will be followed by a detailed explanation of the reviewing system which will be printed in the June number.
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217
INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
218
Scope
OF
Vol. 18, No. 4
the Analytical Edition
been published in this field in the ANALYTICAL EDITION; more are desired. 4. Papers dealing with principles and theory of effort to see that the type and style of the article conanalytical chemistry are important, in that they form the basis for new approaches to analytical chemistry form to the standards or scope of the journal chosen, and the better understanding of old, established as they interpret them; others, it would appear, give methods. They are of interest to all our readers, both little thought to this. When the ANALYTICAL EDITION was established in academic and practical. Such a paper should be a 1929, it was intended to serve the analytical chemist thoughtful discussion of analysis and does not necesby segregating for him worth while contributions in sarily include experimental work. Very few papers of analytical methods and improvements in analytical this kind have been submitted to the ANALYTICAL apparatus in the broad field of industrial and engiEDITIOK, and some criticism has come from the more neering chemistry. While applied analysis has retheoretically minded analysts that this is a weakness ceived much attention during succeeding years, the of the publication. We welcome such papers. journal has become much broader than its original con5 . General papers on the college training of personnel are important, as well as those which deal with the ception. This, together with the expanded interests training programs, organization, and operation of of the analytical chemist due to the development of analytical laboratories in industry and in research new techniques and instruments, gives point to a short foundations. The function of the research analyst in a discussion for the guidance of authors on the types of papers which the editors of the ANALYTICAL EDITION well-integrated research program is now receiving greater attention. A successful attack on some reconsider most suitable, so that the publication may search problems is sometimes impossible unless rebetter serve as the journal for analytical chemistry in search on methods is worked out in advance, or carried all its branches. on simultaneously. The analyst on such problems 1. A paper may present an improved or new promust be of the highest caliber both as a chemist and cedure for the analysis or testing of some element, comas an analyst. While these phases of analytical chempound, or property, details of which must be accurately istry present problems to many hundreds of people, presented, so that others can duplicate the results. few papers on these subjects appear. The tools used may be chemical or physical, and the 6 . Efficient physical equipment and layout are as procedures may deal with organic, inorganic, physical, important as properly trained personnel. Many times or biological chemistry. The physical chemistry, in these subjects are discussed by correspondence bemany cases, may approach pure physics. tween the heads of analytical laboratories, but papers 2. A review paper may be invited or submitted. discussing these problems would serve a larger audience. Its purpose should be critical evaluation of work in the Floor plans of analytical laboratories have been pubgiven field during a specified period, rather than listing lished in the ANALYTICAL EDITION from time to time, references with a brief abstract, for this is more strictly but a critical statement of the reasone for the selection a bibliography. A bibliography is important if it is of a particular laboratory setup would enhance their complete, and can be invaluable as an aid in research, but, in most cases, is necessarily so specialized as to value. 7. The application and development of instruments be of interest to only a limited number of investigators designed for analyses are likely to receive greater atand consequently does not often find a place in the tention from authors. The increase in the importance ANALYTICAL EDITION.Review papers may deal with of this field as envisioned by your editors is indicated either methods or instruments. by the monthly articles on instrumentation, written 3. Papers on the evaluation of analytical results or by Ralph H. Muller, that began to appear in January the statistical treatment or interpretation of analytical of this year. and test data are becoming increasingly important. There may be other subjects which our readers would Such methods can point out human and method errors like to see discussed in the ANALYTICAL EDITION.We and provide a very useful means of eliminating unwelcome your suggestions. trustworthy data or methods. Some papers have HENEVER
a paper is written for publication, the
W author must decide to which journal it may most suitably be sent. Some authors make a conscious
