European Journal of Applied Physiology:
Instructions for authors of Invited Reviews
Aims and scope: In supporting the aims of the European Journal of Applied Physiology (EJAP) to promote mechanistic advances in human integrative and translational physiology. EJAP now publishes Invited Reviews only. As with original research manuscripts, physiology is viewed broadly, embracing disciplines such as biomechanics, biochemistry, endocrinology, ergonomics, immunology, motor control, neuroscience and nutrition. The policies, procedures and guidelines that apply to original manuscripts are also applicable to review manuscripts. EJAP seeks only to publish reviews that extend our understanding of mechanistic physiology; thus, annotated literature reviews and summaries of that which is well known will not be considered for publication. Ways in which this might be accomplished include: challenging existing ideas within the literature or opinions held by a particular school of thought, by combining ideas and facts into a unique compilation that currently does not exist within the literature, or by integrating existing knowledge into hypotheses that may drive future research. Thus, potential authors are advised to interpret the available literature, and then to turn that information into new knowledge and ideas that few could arrive at without the experience and thinking that the authors themselves have directed to the topic. Processing Invitations: The submission of an Invited Review can only be accepted following an invitation issued by the Reviews Editor (Nigel Taylor;
[email protected]) on behalf of EJAP. Authors wishing to submit proposals for consideration must, in the first instance, submit a title and brief outline directly to the Reviews Editor. Such submissions will be screened, with authors of potentially acceptable proposals being invited to submit a formal and more detailed proposal. In some instances, the Reviews Editor will approach prospective authors. For instance, the journal is fostering the publication of sequential reviews from different laboratories on common physiological themes. Topics for these thematic reviews are generally approved by the Editorial Board, with the Reviews Editor then seeking expressions of interest from potential authors. The journal is also interested in publishing occasional historical reviews, particularly when written by eminent, senior physiologists. In all instances, formal review proposals will be evaluated by selected Editors. If a proposal is deemed to be relevant and appropriate, authors will receive a formal invitation to write an Invited Review. However, such an invitation is not an expression of automatic acceptance, since all submissions are subject to the same stringent peer review process. Manuscript size: The usual format for reviews is a maximal length of 15 printed pages, with one printed page being equivalent to about three typewritten pages formatted as per the instructions to authors. These pages must also include all Figures and Tables, and authors are encouraged to consider the possibility
that well-planned Figures may present an attractive supplement or alternative to text. Thus, a word count is generally not applied to reviews, with authors being given the choice of how they may arrange their own manuscript. However, there is no limit to the number of references that authors may cite, with these being in addition to the 15-page allocation. Manuscript presentation notes: Authors must follow the Instructions for Authors that are applicable to EJAP. Language: Spelling is a matter of choice for the authors. Units of measures: Please always use internationally accepted signs and symbols for units, SI units. Abbreviations: Abbreviations should be defined at first mention and used consistently thereafter. However, authors are generally discouraged from excessive use of abbreviations, as this can impede comprehension, particularly when abbreviations do not come from recognised, discipline-specific sources. Abbreviations used less than three times within a manuscript are perhaps best avoided.
