What goes in the cover letter

What goes in the cover letter

Sue Silver

Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

What goes in a cover letter?

No cover letter

A brief note

A short letter

A long letter


Basic information

Title

Names of all authors

Contact information for corresponding author

The correct journal name!



Scientific information

Background (workshop, interdisciplinary collaboration)

Scientific background information (short)

Explanation of article contents (short)

What is new

Why it is important

Why this journal?

Why now?



This manuscript is the product of a workshop

which took place at the ESA’s meeting in

Merida, Mexico, “Ecology in an Era of

Globalization”….








What is new

Why it is important

Why this journal?

Why now?


In this manuscript we attempt to explain why,

although the ecological processes that create

treeline patterns across western North America are

mechanistically similar, and are linked to climate,

actual patterns differ greatly. We discuss what this

means in terms of treeline response to climate

change.








What is new

Why it is important

Why this journal?

Why now?


Charcoal is generated in all biomass burning events and is

one of the only legacies of forest fire. However, to date, it

has received very little scientific attention. In this

manuscript, we summarize the existing literature on

charcoal deposition, ecological function, and storage in

forest ecosystems. We also provide an analysis of how

forest management influences charcoal formation and

discuss the implications for long-term carbon storage in

forest ecosystems of the Rocky Mountain region.








What is new

Why it is important

Why this journal?

Why now?


Our findings (on dramatic increases in nitrogen

and phosphorus in freshwater ecosystems) have

direct implications for stream management and

restoration…..








What is new

Why it is important

Why this journal?

Why now?


These findings should be of great interest to

both applied scientists and policy makers. We

therefore believe Frontiers would be the ideal

forum to highlight these new insights.








What is new

Why it is important

Why this journal?

Why now?


We think this is timely and of broad interest

because of the recent discovery of quagga

mussels in Lake Mead, MV, which has lead to a

lot of management-related initiatives.



Ethical information

Declare conflicts of interest

Assure Editor that the rules have been followed (study Instructions to Authors)

Contribution of each author

Mention peer reviewers who should or shouldnot be approached



Author of a paper criticizing the UN Convention on

Desertification:

I would like to take this opportunity to mention a possible

conflict of interest. I undertook some consultancy work

for the UN Convention on Desertification and did discuss

some ideas with people there, regarding the political

feasibility of the initiatives proposed in this paper….




Ethical information






All the authors have seen and approved the final

version of this manuscript. (Useful)

The text is just under 3500 words in length, as

mentioned in the Instructions to Authors. (Not

necessary)




Ethical information






Dos and DON’Ts of manuscript submission

Sue Silver


Submitting your manuscript

Three important things to remember

FIND the Instructions to Authors

READ the Instructions to Authors

FOLLOW the Instructions to Authors


Before submission, DO

Identify the main audiences

Find out if there are page charges or color charges

Examine a copy (or online version) of the journal

Find out how to submit the manuscript and in whatformat

Use low resolution illustrations for peer review

Provide high resolution versions for publication



Before submission, DO

Send all figures and tables mentioned in the text

Check that all citations appear in both the text and the reference section

Check that all citations are correct

Check that any internet links are still live

Ask for a sample issue



When writing the manuscript, DO

Follow the instructions on writing style

Avoid jargon and specialist terminology (where absolutely necessary, define/explain when first used)

Spell out acronyms when first used, then use only the acronym



Before submission, DON’T

Send the manuscript to more than one journal at the same time

Send a research communication to a review-only journal or an essay to a primary research journal

Ignore the upper word limit and requested number of references




When resubmitting to another journal following rejection, DON’T

Leave the references in the style for the previous journal

Send the same ms – follow Instructions to Authors of new journal


When preparing photos and graphics, DO

Provide low resolution versions for peer review

Provide high resolution versions for printing (study Instructions to Authors for details)

Get permission from the publisher before reproducing a previously printed illustration

Acknowledge source of each photo or graph that is not your own

DON’T scan photos/illustrations from other printed material



Perspectives on Peer Review: As an Author and Peer Reviewer

Laura A. Meyerson


What is peer review?

• Peer review is the process by which manuscripts submitted to scientifically oriented journals are evaluated by experts in the appropriate fields to determine if the manuscripts are of adequate quality for publication.

• Reviewers are usually anonymous to the authors. • A “Peer Review Journal” is a scholarly journal

which requires that each article submitted for publication be judged by an independent panel of experts.


What is the purpose of peer review?

• Peer review is important to achieve clear, precise writing.

• Peer comments should give you feedback on the quality and clarity of your ideas and approaches.

• Ensures that your work meets scientific standards and the standards of the journal.


What are the benefits of Peer review for my papers?

• An opportunity to have my work judged by colleagues.

• A chance to receive valuable input on my work.

• An opportunity to improve my paper and incorporate perspectives that I have not previously considered.

• Improve my writing style.Zhejiang University, Hangzhou – 15/16 December 2008 How to get published

What are the downsides of peer review?

• Negative feedback

• Frustration

• Reviewers can sometimes “miss your point”

• Paper may be rejected


How do I approach a paper that I am reviewing?

• Make sure I have enough time to dedicate: – depending on the paper 4-8 hours

• Make sure that I have enough expertise on the topic of the paper– If I am unsure, I contact the Editor. – Focus on those aspects of the paper that I know well.

• Make sure that I have no conflict of interest or other ethical issues:– Close relationship with the author(s).– Competition that would be affected by the publication / rejection of the

paper.

• Follow the reviewing directions provided by the journal– These are usually very specific– Comments for the Authors– Private comments for the Editor


How do I approach a paper that I am reviewing?

• Keep my comments constructive:• Criticism is fine, but it should be framed in a way

that offers the author(s) suggestions for improvement:

– Instead of “The approach the authors take in their analysis is out of date and completely wrong.” you could say,

– “The authors would strengthen their paper and results by conducting an alternative analysis. For example, the approach employed by Hu and colleagues (2007).”


Why do I perform peer review?

• My duty as a member of the scientific community:– If I want my papers reviewed and published, I

must perform the same service for others.

• Opportunity to see who is publishing what in my field– But remember, all manuscripts sent to you as

a reviewer are confidential!


Why do I perform peer review?

• Opportunity to dissect papers and think carefully about what makes a really good paper and what makes a bad paper.– This improves my own writing.

• Increases my knowledge of the journals that I am reviewing for.

• Credit from my university for performing this service to the scientific community.


Who does what in peer review

Sue Silver


Who does what in Peer Review?

Manuscript Decision?


The purpose of peer review is to make sure that a paper is:scientifically correct

new information

right for the journal

Who does what in Peer Review



Editor in Chief

Publisher

Assistant or “Senior” Editors (staff)

Associate Editors

Peer reviewers (referees)


The Publisher Sets the topic, the readership, and the aims

of the journal

Provides the money

Hires staff and provides working space



Editor in Chief Responsible for the overall content of the journal

Makes final decisions about accepting or rejecting papers

Chooses Associate Editors

Considers appeals



Assistant Editors

Responsible for keeping manuscripts moving through peer review

After acceptance, responsible for keeping manuscripts moving through production

Senior Editors can also make final decisions about accepting or rejecting papers

Respond to questions



Associate Editors

Give expert advice in their specialty

Read manuscripts

Choose peer reviewers

Read reports and make recommendations OR

Make decisions

Suggest ideas for papers to commission



Peer reviewers

Read papers in their area of expertise

Write detailed, constructive reports

Make recommendations



Peer Reviewers usually DON’T get a reward for their work have much time to review the papers they are sent see the whole paper before they agree to review

So they may be impatient with poor science poor English poor presentation



If asked to suggest reviewers for your paper

Suggest people whose work you respect

Avoid

• high profile experts

• close colleagues

• Anyone with a conflict of interest



Decisions Two poor reviews – Reject

One good review and one bad review• Associate Editor can decide which is correct• Associate Editor can ask for a third reviewer

Two good reviews• Minor revision or Accept• Reject



LUNCH!

Documents

What goes in the cover letter