ARTICLE TYPES: Journal of Applied Physiology
Research Articles
Research articles present important new research results including the
entire contents of a research project. Research articles include an
abstract, an introduction, methods and results sections, a discussion, and
relevant citations. Large data sets are welcome for inclusion in the online
publication. Articles are peer-reviewed.
Perspectives
This category of article serves as a forum in which to disseminate new
and original lines of thinking in physiology. These short articles go beyond
the scope of invited reviews and should present original ideas that can be
derived from our current knowledge base. Some Perspectives articles may
challenge current dogma and will be considered for publication based on the
scientific merit of the argument presented. These Perspective articles will
be subject to peer review. Some articles will be invited, but unsolicited
articles are welcome. These articles should be about 1,500 words long,
excluding references, and may include two figures.
Viewpoint
Viewpoint articles are a type of Perspective that are intended to present
an insightful, thoroughly documented slant on a topic for which opinions are
either controversial or undecided in the literature. The hope is that the
readership will benefit from a new unconventional viewpoint on a topic. In
addition, brief commentary (250 words, 5 references) will be solicited from
the readership. The hope here is to use the journal to promote
communication among scientists and therefore further understanding.
Hopefully, new ideas and improved designs for future research on these
topics should follow. Some articles will be invited; we also welcome
unsolicited manuscripts.
The Viewpoint manuscript must be concise, to the point, and bring novel
new insights on a specific problem. Refer only to already peer-reviewed,
published findings. Maximum length is 1200 words, 30 references, and one
single-panel figure. No abstract is required; the title of the manuscript
should be as descriptive as possible of the problem and or viewpoint being
presented. All manuscripts will be submitted to the usual peer review
process. Please submit these articles as a Perspective, and mention that
this is a Viewpoint article in your cover letter. Also please provide a
list of 5-10 names and emails of individuals who may be interested in
providing commentary on your Viewpoint.
Point:Counterpoint
This series of debates was initiated for the Journal of Applied
Physiology because we believe an important means of searching for truth is
through debate where contradictory viewpoints are put forward. This
dialectic process whereby a thesis is advanced, then opposed by an
antithesis, with a synthesis subsequently arrived at, is a powerful and
often entertaining method for gaining knowledge and for understanding the
source of a controversy. Before reading these Point:Counterpoint manuscripts
or preparing a brief commentary on the content, the reader should understand
that authors on each side of the debate are expected to advance a polarized
viewpoint and to select the most convincing data to support their position.
This approach differs markedly from the review article where the reader
expects the author to present balanced coverage of the topic. Each of the
authors has been strictly limited in the lengths of both the manuscript
(1,200 words) and the rebuttal (400). The number of references to
publications is also limited to 30, and citation of unpublished findings is
prohibited. Complete instructions for Point:Counterpoint submissions are
available at
http://www.the-aps.org/publications/specialcalls/jappl-pcp-instructions.htm.
Innovative Methodology
Research in physiology depends crucially on the development of new
methods of data collection and analysis. Manuscripts submitted under this
category should describe new methods for the recording, collection, and/or
analysis of data relevant to understanding how the physiological system
works. Manuscripts will be reviewed taking into consideration the following
criteria:
- The novelty of the new method. Papers should not be minor
incremental improvements of old methods, but have a real new component.
- The manuscript must describe the method in sufficient detail to
enable others to implement or replicate the method or procedure.
- The manuscript should carefully describe the advantages and
disadvantages of the new method, with its limitations and strengths laid
out clearly for the reader.
- The manuscript must illustrate the use of the method to demonstrate
that it actually works. It is not necessary to use the method in an
extensive study of a biological problem, but a "proof of principle"
demonstration is required. Where possible, the method should be applied
to real physiological data.
- Manuscripts should be of the length required to meet these criteria.
Extensive technical details, mathematical derivations, etc. can be
placed into an Appendix if they will interrupt the flow of the
manuscript but may be additionally helpful to others wishing to
implement the technique.
Review Articles
Review articles provide synthesis of state-of-the-art knowledge in a
defined area highlighting new questions and pointing to future research
directions. They encompass examination of biological processes, systems, and
models, and technologies for their study. The primary purpose is to educate
readers by providing a comprehensive view of completed works presented in a
concise, unified format; however, appropriate inclusion of unpublished data
is permissible. Utilization of figures is encouraged. Typically, reviews are
invited and all are peer-reviewed.
Editorials
Editorials provide commentary by the Editor, Associate Editors, and other
scientists and experts on issues related to the Journal's mission as well as
of general interest to our readers. Unsolicited editorials will be
considered for publication. Acceptance will reside with the editors.
Editorial Focus
Editorial Focus articles are commentaries on papers of unusual interest
published in the journal that were chosen by the Editor to be highlighted by
a brief Editorial Focus commentary. They should describe the most important
conclusions of the paper; place the paper into context with the current
state-of-the-art; highlight controversial issues; when relevant, denote
strengths and weaknesses of the paper; and review questions that remain to
be addressed.
Letters to the Editor
Letters, including an informative title, should be short, approximately
one journal column (500 words). Letters are reviewed by the appropriate
editor and subject to editing and possible abridgment. Letters to the Editor
should not include original, unpublished data. If a letter is found
acceptable, a copy will be sent to the author of the original article, if
applicable; that author will have an opportunity to provide a rebuttal with
new material that will be considered for publication with the letter.
Letters to the Editor may also simply address matters of general interest to
the readership.
CATEGORIES
Various article types can be published under the following Categories, or
headings:
Calls for Papers - Highlighted Topics
Manuscripts containing results of unusual interest may be submitted to
the Editor, especially in response to a Call for Papers. Review is
accelerated, and papers appear in the next available issue after acceptance,
frequently preceded by a Commentary. Highlighted Topics are accepted with no
more than minor revisions. The current list of Highlighted Topics can be
found
here.
SPECIAL SECTIONS
Manuscripts of any type may be submitted to one of these Special
Sections.
Translational Physiology
The field of Translational Physiology is an area of research that bridges
the gap between basic physiology and patient care. Original papers in this
field may transfer clinical insights into hypotheses that can be tested and
validated in the basic research laboratory, or they may transfer knowledge
gained from basic research to human physiology or even to improved methods
of treating or preventing disease.
Historical Articles
Manuscripts on the history of physiology may be submitted to the Editor.
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