NCSAS :: Journal2

Journal of the North Carolina Academy of Science

Official Publication of the North Carolina Academy of Science, Inc.
(Formerly The Journal of the Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society)

Instructions to Authors
The Journal of the North Carolina Academy of Science publishes papers in all disciplines of science. Authors need not be members of the North Carolina Academy of Science. Both short notes and regular length articles reporting original research are appropriate for the journal. Papers will be reviewed by at least two referees. Manuscripts can be submitted either as hard copy or electronically. For hard copy submission, submit three copies and a CD disk to the Editor, Frank J. Schwartz, Journal of the North Carolina Academy of Science, North Carolina Academy of Science, Institute of Marine Sciences, University of North Carolina, 3431 Arendell St., Morehead City, NC 28557-3209 (USA). Phone (252) 726-6841, Ext. 139, Fax (252) 726-2426. For electronic submission, email a MS Word version of the manuscript to laura_white@unc.edu. Manuscripts should be complete as to text, figures and tables and arranged as noted below. Authors must fill out a Permission Form (Click Here for pdf) to allow for the Journal to electronically distribute their article.

Manuscript Requirements
Papers should consist of the following parts in given order, with each part beginning on a separate page: title and authors; abstract and key words; text; literature cited; figure captions; figures; and tables. Number the pages consecutively starting with the abstract and continuing through the literature cited. For hard copy submission, submit each paper in triplicate with three complete sets of figures, including three prints of each photograph. Copies of the original typescript must be clear and high quality; carbon copies are not acceptable. All parts of the typescript, including the abstract, literature cited, figure captions, and tables, must be typed on 8½ x 11" bond paper and double spaced. Neatly typed, clean copy is required.

Title Page
Center the title and type it in all caps, except for generic and specific names, which should be italicized and in caps and lower case. Make the title brief but descriptive. Omit the names of authors of taxa. Do not abbreviate. Below the title give the author's name and, below the name his or her professional address. Include the department and university (or equivalent for non-academic positions), city, state, and zip code in the address. See recent issues of the journal for the proper name and address format for co-authored papers.

Abstract and Key Words
On a separate page, type the abstract and three or four key words. The abstract should present the salient points of the article and should stand on its own without reference to the text. The key words will be used as an aid to abstracting journals and information retrieval system.

Text
Give each major portion of the text, including the introduction, methods, discussion, etc., a heading which is centered and typed in all caps. Handle scientific names according to the international rules of botanical and zoological nomenclature. If a common name is used, give the Latin name also. Cite the author of a species the first time its Latin name appears in the text. Underline, do not italicize, the names of genera and species. Avoid footnotes if at all possible. If they are used, number them consecutively and place them at the bottom of the page where they are cited. Keep acknowledgments short and place them at the end of the text. The only acknowledgments acceptable in the form of a footnote to the title are those required in that form by institutions and granting agencies.

Figure Captions
Put captions for all figures onto one page if possible. Identify each with FIG. and an Arabic numeral, followed by a phrase describing the figure. This may be followed by several sentences giving essential details and explaining symbols used in the illustration.

Figures
Both photographs and line drawings are considered figures and are numbered consecutively with Arabic numerals. The maximum printed size for a full page figure is 12.7 cm (5 in) by 20.3 cm (8 in). Group figures in ways which make efficient use of space. If figures require a scale, preferable forms are a bar drawn on a line drawing or affixed to a photograph, or a recognizable object included in a photograph. The identifying number should also be included in each figure. Submit three glossy, black and white, prints only of each photograph of figure. These should be of high resolution and good contrast. Matte prints and electrostatic copies are not acceptable. Mark the top of the figure with an arrow pointing up. On the back of the glossy give the author s name and the figure number caption.

Tables
Keep tables to a minimum. Do not include raw data. Number tables consecutively with Arabic numerals. Above each table type the word Table plus the appropriate number, centered on the page, and a brief title. Do not draw in vertical lines on tables. Use footnotes only if absolutely necessary and put them in the form of superscript letters.

Literature Cited
Arrange references alphabetically in the Literature Cited section. In math and physics papers, references may be cited in the text by number. In other types of articles, papers, are referred to by author and date. The Literature Cited section my also be handled differently in math and physics papers and articles in all other areas; see recent issue of the journal for proper format.

Short Notes
Typescripts less than four pages ordinarily will be published as notes. They are in the same format as regular length articles, but without an abstract or headings other than Literature Cited. Key Words are place between the title and the first line of text.

Page Charges
Due to high publication costs, authors are required to pay page charges to help offset expenses. These are currently $30 per printed page for Academy members and $45 per printed page for others. Authors whose manuscripts are accepted for publication will receive a page charge invoice with their page proofs. Potential contributors lacking grant, institutional, or corporate support for publications costs may request a waiver for all or part of the page charges. Such requests should be made to the Editor at the above address.

Contact Information:

Editor, Frank J. Schwartz
Journal of the North Carolina Academy of Science
North Carolina Academy of Science
Institute of Marine Sciences
University of North Carolina
3431 Arendell St
Morehead City, NC 28557 (USA)
Phone: (252) 726-6841 Ext. 139
Fax: (252) 726-2426

Managing Editor, Dr. Larry Cahoon
Dept. of Biology and Marine Biology
University of North Carolina Wilmington
601 S. College Road
Dobo Hall 210
Wilmington, NC 28403-5915
Phone: (910) 962-3706
Email: cahoon@uncw.edu