ISSN:0003-2654    

DOI:10.1039/b203432h

出版商:RSC    

年代:2002

数据来源: RSC

摘要:

The ‘Instructions to Authors’ section published over many years inThe Analystprovides specific guidelines as to what is expected from researchers in terms of papers submitted for publication in the journal. In essence, it is anticipated that articles must represent a description ofsignificantadvances in analytical science as reflected in peer-judgedcontribution to knowledge, originality and quality. Although such criteria are often considered to be somewhat arbitrary and difficult to quantify, the present Editorial attempts to solidify these guidelines and present some key points for discussion with respect to the acceptability of papers for publication inThe Analyst. Your editors are continually striving to develop and enhance the reputation of the journal and, accordingly, this Editorial should be viewed in this spirit. Included are such issues as the recipe nature of analytical papers, fragmentation in article submissions, datedmethodology, justification for publication and peer review.An overriding issue is, of course, what the journal is all about in terms of its status as an international vehicle for the dissemination of information in the area of analytical science. This field by its very nature implies a strong connection to methodology and applications. However, this does not mean that the journal welcomes those articles that simply represent ‘recipes’ for effecting analyses if no particular advance in science and technology is being described. Perhaps because of the past history of the journal there may be a perception thatThe Analystis the vehicle for the publication of pure applications papers, especially those with a spectroscopic bent. On the contrary, the modern journal must promote the view that analytical chemistry is clearly concerned with quantum scientific advances in the detection, characterisation and quantitative determination of analytes. Although sometimes belittled by our colleagues in the other sub-disciplines of chemistrybecause of notions of ‘recipe technology’, in reality analytical chemical science is a profound and exciting research endeavour. The latter is very evident in the breadth and quality of articles published in 2001 which, for example, presented advances in various micro-scale devices, mass spectrometry of biological species, molecular imprinting and high frequency sensing.A second point is the repetitive submission of papers in a deliberately fragmented fashion, a problem faced by all major scientific journals. It is obvious that one of the sources of such a practise has its origins in attempts to pad publication lists in the curriculum vitae of authors with, perhaps the goal in mind of influencing granting agencies and the like. Those charged with the management of the journal have witnessed numerous examples of such activity including use of a reagent for yet another metal ion, extension of a very standard procedure or technique to one more analyte, and even multiple submissions of virtually identical papers to several analytical journals. Such attempts to multiply the number of articles that can be derived from a single aspect of research invite clear grounds for their rejection.A connected issue is that of out-of-date methodologies. It is perhaps not surprising that attempts at fragmentation often involve the more mature protocols. Analytical chemistry, like other areas of science and technology, continues to see exponential growth in sophistication and technical possibilities. Accordingly, in order to maintain a position at the cutting edge there is no point in the journal publishing work that cannot compete on either scientific or pragmatic levels, even if the research might, by some, be considered as ‘solid’. An example of a well-worked area from the past is the spectrophotometric determination of metal ions. Such a technique in no way compares in terms of the speed, sensitivity and selectivity offered by modern approaches represented by the likes of ICP-mass spectrometry. Other examples include application of an off-the-shelf purchased chromatographic column in a standard separation procedure, employment of a published FIA-detector configurationto another similar analyte, and the design of another enzyme electrode for which commercial devices are already available.One possible mechanism to deal with some of the issues raised above is for a prospective author to prepare an explicit letter of justification of publication for the work in question. Everyone is well aware that such explanations are often dismissed as superfluous, but given the policies specified above authors consideringThe Analystwould be well-advised to contemplate including such a carefully written document. The emphasis must be on why the author considers the work to be original and novel, and why for specific applications the research would be of interest to the analytical community at large. In this regard, we note that prestigious journals such asNatureandSciencescreen submitted papers for their novelty among several criteria before they are forwarded to reviewers.Last, but certainly not least, the thorny issue of the quality of peer-review is mentioned. As is the case for all RSC journals, prospective authors should be aware that, within the context of the above, the Society is totally committed to a fair and just referee system. Many will appreciate that effecting such a policy is not always easy and that the conventional system so familiar to us all is often fraught with subjectivity resulting in complaints and appeals. This is why the RSC has been at pains to put in place an official Referee Policy and Procedure. In summary, authors consideringThe Analystcan be assured that papers will be strictly evaluated according to the criteria outlined above.As a final comment the writer invites those interested in the quality, status and reputation of the journal to provide constructive feedback to the Managing, Assistant, and Associate Scientific Editors, and Editorial Advisory Board Members. All of these individuals are committed to makingThe Analystthe best that it can be. Future Editorials will address other issues and the views and comments of authorship and readership alike will be extremely helpful in their development.On behalf of the Editorial Board,The Analyst

ISSN:0003-2654    

DOI:10.1039/b202771m

出版商:RSC    

年代:2002

数据来源: RSC