Essential criteria for manuscript review

Comparative Medicine Copyright 2010 by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science

Vol 60, No 3 June 2010 Page 176

Editorial

Essential Criteria for Manuscript Review Linda A Toth, Susan Compton, Ravi Tolwani, and Melissa H Bagaglio As mentioned in our Year in Review Editorial in the January issue of the Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science2 and February issue of Comparative Medicine,1 both journals continue to enjoy a significant increase in the number of submitted articles. Because the number of articles we publish per issue cannot be significantly altered, this increase allows us to be more selective with the manuscripts we choose to publish. Therefore, we remind potential authors of the following criteria for publication. Manuscripts submitted to either journal must be written in grammatically sound standard English consistent with the guidelines set forth in the Information for Authors (http://www.aalas. org/publications/cm_jaalas_info_for_au.aspx). Manuscripts accepted for publication must emphasize data-based information and refrain from providing anecdotal accounts. Original research reports must contain sufficient new information to justify a full length report. Methods sections should include adequate detail to allow independent replication of the work, if deemed neces-

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sary by other groups. Data must be clearly explained as text, supported by appropriate figures and tables as necessary. Conclusions must be based on statistically valid evidence. All articles should include appropriate references, acknowledgements, and disclosures. Articles that do not meet these criteria will be rejected without review. Our reiteration of these review criteria is not intended to discourage submission, but to reduce the need for editorial rejection without peer review and the demands on our reviewers. The ultimate goal is to improve the quality of the journals. If you have any questions regarding these criteria, feel free to contact us.

References

1. Toth LA, Compton S, Tolwani R. 2010. The AALAS journals: 2009 in review. Comp Med 60:8–9. 2. Toth LA, Compton S, Tolwani R. 2010. The AALAS journals: 2009 in review. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci 49:9–10.