Analytical Methods

1.0 Scope and Standards 

Analytical Methods publishes original research papers and topical reviews that communicate research on the advancement of analytical technologies for wider application by the international scientific community. 

The Journal welcomes submissions detailing the development of innovative techniques and applications of analytical science, addressing key issues of societal concern. These include developments within the fields of healthcare, pharmaceuticals and biomedical diagnostics, environmental and forensic analysis, heritage science, agricultural science and food products, industrial process development and product validation. Articles detailing significant and wide ranging advances and developments in general metrological practices, including sampling and sample handling, analytical standards and calibration techniques, and data handling are also welcomed. 

The Journal includes reviews on selected topics of interest to analytical scientists. All contributions are judged on originality and quality of scientific content and appropriateness of length to content of new science. 

At the time of submission, authors should provide a short statement of societal impact for their manuscript, and are strongly encouraged to indicate clearly the significance and wider societal impact of the work reported in their article.

2.0 Article Types 

2.1 Communications 
These must report preliminary research findings that are highly original, of immediate interest and are likely to have a high impact. Communications are given priority treatment, are fast-tracked through the publication process and appear prominently at the front of the journal. The key aim of Communications is to present innovative concepts with important analytical implications. As such, Communications need only demonstrate 'proof of principle': it is not expected that the analytical figures of merit will necessarily surpass those of existing, highly refined analytical techniques. At the time of submission, authors should also provide a justification for urgent publication as a Communication. Ideally, a Full Paper should follow each Communication in an appropriate primary journal. There is no page limit for communications in Analytical Methods, however the length should be commensurate with scientific content. Authors are encouraged to make full use of Electronic Supplementary Information in order to present more concise articles. 

2.2 Full Papers 
These must describe science that will be of benefit to the community in the particular field of analysis and are judged according to originality, quality of scientific content and contribution to existing knowledge. Although there is no page limit for Full Papers, appropriateness of length to content of new science will taken into consideration. 

2.3 Technical Notes 
These should be brief descriptions of developments, techniques or applications that offer definite advantages over those already available. Technical Notes should offer practical solutions to problems that are of interest to the readership and merit publication, but where a Full Paper is not justified. Technical Notes should be as brief as possible; wherever appropriate authors should use references to the established technique, explaining in full only what is novel about the proposed approach. 

2.4 Review Articles 
Analytical Methods publishes a range of review articles. Potential writers should contact the Editorial Office before embarking on their work. 

• Critical Reviews are definitive, comprehensive reviews but must also provide a critical evaluation of the chosen topic area. Authors should try to be selective in the choice of material, whilst still aim to cover all the important work in the field, also indicating possible future developments.   

• Mini Reviews are highlights or summaries of research in an emerging area of analytical science covering approximately the last 2-3 years. Given topics should review work no more than approximately 36 months old, and articles should cover only the most interesting/significant developments in that specific subject area. The articles should be highly critical and selective in referencing published work. A small amount of speculation (one or two paragraphs) of possible future developments may also be appropriate in the Conclusions section.   

2.5 Comments 
These are a medium for the discussion and exchange of scientific opinions concerning material published in Analytical Methods. Submitted Comments will normally be forwarded to the authors of the work being discussed, and these authors will be given the opportunity to submit a reply for publication together with the Comment. For publication of a Comment or a Reply, they must be judged by the referees to be scientifically significant and of interest to the readership of Analytical Methods. Comments and replies will be reviewed in the normal way, but additional referees will be consulted if there is an unresolved disagreement between correspondents, or where there is doubt as to the significance of the Comment or Reply. Comments should be brief and should not normally exceed a length of one printed journal page. Publication will take place only when all parties have had an opportunity to respond appropriately.