Abstract
About JALA
JALA is a multi-disciplinary international forum devoted to the advancement of technology in the laboratory. It is the official, peer-reviewed journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation (ALA). Six issues are published each year, providing a unique forum for the presentation of method-focused scientific papers, and related news, events, and product announcements.
Manuscripts
JALA publishes manuscripts in four main categories: Original Reports, Technical Briefs, JALA Tutorials, and Technology Reviews. JALA also publishes Letters to the Editor, and product and company news announcements.
Original Reports
Original Reports contribute new, original, significant information and applications. Original Reports are a minimum of 2,000 words, with no maximum word limit. The editorial staff and reviewers will evaluate a manuscript's content against its length and may suggest shortening the manuscript as appropriate. Original Reports are peer-reviewed by at least two experts in the field.
Technical Briefs
Technical Briefs are practical descriptions of a process, technique, instrumentation, device, or software containing technical content that would be of interest and use to readers of JALA, but which do not necessarily represent original or novel work. Technical Briefs are typically shorter than Original Reports (approximately 2,000 words). Technical Briefs should be of sufficiently non-commercial nature, so as not to be categorized as a Technology Review. This does not preclude Technical Briefs being written by product-providing companies. Technical Briefs are also peer-reviewed by at least two experts in the field.
JALA Tutorials
Tutorials provide an introductory overview of a core topic in the field of laboratory automation or related areas. The content of a Tutorial must be presented in an instructional manner. Tutorials are a minimum of 2,000 words, with no maximum word limit. Long Tutorials may be published in multiple parts. Tutorials are peer-reviewed by at least two experts in the field.
Technology Reviews
Technology Reviews describe new and innovative products of interest to JALA readers. They may focus on instruments, devices, or software. Technology Reviews are a minimum of 1,000 words. All Technology Reviews are edited for commercial content. Technology Reviews are reviewed by at least one expert in the field.
Manuscript Guidelines
JALA accepts manuscript submissions via the Elsevier Author Gateway at http://ees.elsevier.com/jala.
All manuscripts and news releases submitted to JALA must be written in the English language. Microsoft Word is preferred. Manuscripts must be prepared double-spaced, with wide margins (25 mm or 1 inch), and pages should be consecutively numbered. Tables may be embedded in the Word file. Figures must be provided as separate, original files (for more information, see Figure Guidelines).
Manuscripts should include an introductory abstract of approximately 200 words or less that states the purposes of study or investigation, main findings, and the principal conclusions. In addition, three to five keywords should be provided for indexing purposes.
Manuscripts are expected to be concise, well organized, and clearly written. The format of the paper should follow that found in Chapter One of The ACS Style Guide (Janet Dodd, Editor: American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C., 1997). The author is responsible for the accuracy and completeness of all references. Use the SI system of units and Celsius degrees; use L for liter. Where a company is mentioned, indicate location (city, state, country if non-U.S.). All abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols must be defined upon their initial use in the text.
Figure Guidelines
It is the author's responsibility to provide original, high-resolution images for all figures, photos, and illustrations. Images should be at least five inches wide and saved as TIF files at 1000 dpi for line-drawn images or at least 300 dpi for color or black/white photography. Color images should be saved as CMYK. Each image submitted should be saved as a separate file, and the file name should include the lead author's last name and identified as Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.
Author Agreements and Copyright Assignment
Manuscripts are considered for publication with the understanding that (1) if the paper is accepted, copyright is transferred to the Association for Laboratory Automation, and (2) no paper presenting the same information has been or will be published elsewhere.
The Peer-Review Process
The review process is confidential, and reviewers are obliged not to discuss papers or authors with anyone outside of the JALA editorial staff. Manuscripts are typically evaluated in response to the peer-review guidelines at http://labautomation.org/jalaprguidelines.php, and initial feedback is usually provided to authors within four weeks after submission. Manuscripts can be accepted as written by reviewers, declined as inappropriate, or as is often the case, reviewers will suggest revisions. Authors are then offered the opportunity to revise and resubmit their manuscripts, or provide explanations in response to reviewer questions or suggestions. Revisions and responses are re-reviewed by the peer reviewers before final publishing decisions are made.
Other Submissions
Letters to the Editor
Comments on published articles are welcome and will be published if deemed appropriate by the Editor. Letters should not exceed.