The organization of APSnet Feature articles vary but typically include introductory and historical information, an in-depth narrative, and an assessment of the current status and future outlook in the subject area. The length of APSnet Features is typically between 10 and 15 double-spaced pages of 12-point typescript (about 3000 to 4000 words), but this is flexible at the discretion of the Feature Editor. Apart from differences in organization and tone, APSnet Features should adhere to the same guidelines as research articles in Plant Disease. For example, standards of clarity, conciseness, and logical organization of the text, tables, and figures should be observed. APSnet Features are not intended to be reviews comparable to those in Annual Reviews, so the total number of references should be limited. Nevertheless, key statements that are not qualified as opinion should be supported by references. Authors are encouraged to provide links to other relevant material discussed in the Feature.
Authors contemplating submission of an APSnet Feature should contact the Feature Editor prior to beginning preparation of the article.
Robert M. Harveson
Plant Pathologist
University of Nebraska
Panhandle Res & Ext Center
4502 Ave I
Scottsbluff, NE 69361-4907
USA
Phone: (308) 632-1239
Fax: (308) 632-1365
E-mail: rharveson2@unl.edu
As a preliminary step in development of an APSnet Feature, the preparation of a summary of the article’s content (approximately one page or 300-words) is encouraged. The summary can be in the form of email inquiry. The summary allows the Feature Editor to comment on the author's approach and make suggestions at an early stage in manuscript development.
After the Feature Editor approves the proposed article, the authors prepare the manuscript. Authors should e-mail the manuscript's text and figures as attachments to the Feature Editor (if the image files are too numerous or large to be e-mailed, send them as a PC or Macintosh 1.4MB diskette, 100 MB zip, or CD-ROM to the editorial staff listed below). The Feature Editor then evaluates the submission and returns the manuscript to the senior author with recommendations for revision. Author revisions should be e-mailed back to the Feature Editor within the agreed upon timeframe. If the APSnet Feature is not to be formally peer-reviewed, the Feature Editor may nevertheless seek additional qualified reviewers at any stage in the process.
APSnet Features are generally narratives, and personal pronouns and the active voice may be used. Abstracts and additional keywords are not used, nor are the headings "Materials and Methods," "Results," or "Discussion." Text should be submitted as an RTF file, or as a Word file for PC or Macintosh. All art provided must be reproducible and should be submitted in tiff, gif, or jpeg (highest quality setting) format. No Powerpoint presentations, Corel Draw files, etc. will be permitted. Photos should be cropped to show only essential details, and scale bars should be inserted where necessary to indicate magnification. Please do not put captions on the images themselves -- leave captions and figures separate. Provide captions for images, keyed to the figure numbers, at the end of the text file after the references. All images must be at least 500 pixels along the longest edge at 96 dpi or higher. Within reason, the larger the image file, the better. Photos of all authors should also be included, and should be individual-no group shots unless all authors are included. Authors will need to complete “Authorization to Publish” forms for images and artwork that are not currently copyrighted, and “Permission to Reproduce Published Material” forms for images and artwork that have been previously published or who’s use is otherwise protected by copyright. Authors are not assessed page charges.
When the Feature Editor accepts the revised manuscript for publication, the senior author then provides the APSnet editorial staff with the accepted version of the text and illustrations. Editorial staff will assemble and edit a prototype Feature and provide the senior author with a URL where the prototype can be viewed. The senior author should then provide editorial staff with comments and corrections within 48 hours by fax or e-mail. APSnet Features are always scheduled for posting to the APSnet website on the first day of the month in which they appear.
The Features are assigned doi numbers that should be used when reference is made. A recommended citation format and doi designation is included in the beginning section of an article. A report is generated every six months with web traffic statistics for feature articles. This report is available to an author on request.
Questions for the editorial staff and second copies of manuscripts should be directed to:
Kurt Gegenhuber
APSnet Features
3340 Pilot Knob Road
St. Paul, MN 55121-2097 U.S.A.
Email: kgegenhuber@scisoc.org
Telephone: +1.651.994.3852
Fax: +1.651.454.0766
