The Journal of Practical Ecology and Conservation

Journal of Practical Ecology and Conservation

Advice for Contributors

You are advised to print this page for reference

Advice (new contributors) | Main Elements | Acknowledgements & References | Summary

Introduction

This guide has two parts: instructions and advice. Please ensure that the person who types your paper sees the instructions either before or whilst typing your copy; failure to follow these may cause delay.

Instructions to Contributors

Typing

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a) Submit a total of two copies of the text and keep one yourself for checking proofs. Type on one side of the paper only, and use double-spacing throughout (including References and Tables with their captions), with additional spacing for the major headings. Leave a margin 2.5eni wide at the top, bottom and both sides.

b) A4 size paper is preferred.

c) Start each of the following sections on a fresh page, and arrange in the following sequence: Title-page, Summary, Text, Acknowledgements, References, Appendices, Tables (each on a separate page), Legends to Figures (not on separate pages).

d) All the sheets of the typescript must be numbered consecutively. The pages should not be stapled together.

e) Use capitals only for the title, the author's name, major headings, letters used as abbreviations or symbols, the initial letters of Table, Fig. and Expt. and the names of computer programmes.

f) Where not typed in italics, please underline words and letters to be set in italics, the Latin names of organisms, foreign words and abbreviations of them (c., in vivi, et al., v.) abbreviations used for statistics (F, n, P, r, t) and mathematical symbols in the text.

g) On the title-page give the full title in capitals, a suggested running head-line (not more than 45 letters and spaces), the name(s) of the author(s) in capitals, and the address when the work was done. The present address(es) of the author(s) should be given at the foot of the title page. The name of the author who will cheek the proofs, and the full postal address, if not already given, must be indicated on the title page.

h) Where text is supplied on computer disk, files should be saved as .txt (text), .rtf (rich text format) or in Word 6 or later only.

Only new virus-free disks will be accepted.

General Format

i) Title	Do not give the authorities for Latin names. Use common names only if they are well established and unequivocal.
ii) Headings	Carefully chosen headings are helpful but a multitude of headings confuses the reader. (See current issues of the Journal for guidance).
iii) Footnotes	These should be avoided if possible.

Detailed Instructions for Text

i) Spelling Back to top	Wherever possible, use the spelling of the Oxford English Dictionary. Words such as 'generalize' and 'summarize' may be spelt with an '-ize' ending where appropriate. (See Greenbaum, S. and Whiteut, J. (1992) Guide to English Usage. Longman, Harlow, p. 392). Use capitals only for proper names, e.g. Great Britain and as indicated in section. Except for some commonly-used expressions, adjectival nouns should be joined by a hyphen to the noun they qualify, e.g. time-span. Sequential points listed in the text should be designated (a), (b), etc. or (i), (ii), etc. using parentheses. Single quote marks only should be used to emphasise specific words or phrases, or for quotations.
ii) Latin names Back to top	Authorities for Latin names may be cited in one of the following forms: a) Where fewer than, say, six names occur in the text, the appropriate authorities should be given at first mention (but not thereafter and never underlined or in italics). b) Where considerable numbers of Latin names occur in the text and nomenclature follows standard works that are accessible, these works should be cited at the end of the Introduction. c) Where nomenclature is more confused, a full list of species and authorities should be given in a table or an appendix. The authorities need not be given for the Latin names of species relating to cited references. When a Latin name is repeated within a few paragraphs, the generic name may be abbreviated to the initial letter, provided that no other generic name intervenes and the meaning is clear. Vernacular names of organisms are generally printed without initial capitals, except where a proper name is involved, e.g. white clover, but Scots pine. However, this is optional and common names of species can be spelt with initial capitals e.g. Blue Tit, long as you are consistent. Anglicised names of higher taxa should not have initial capitals, e.g. empids for Empididae.
iii) Abbreviations Back to top	Avoid abbreviations if possible and give full names before using uncommon abbreviations. New abbreviations should be coined only for unwieldy names that occur frequently: Don't use unusual abbreviations in the Summary. Abbreviations which end with the same letter as the full (e.g. Dr) do not need a stop.
iv) Units of measurement Back to top	SI units are strongly preferred and metric equivalents must be given if other units are used. Use units that are appropriate to the scale of the work reported.
v) Numbers Back to top	Use figures where the unit of measurement is given, e.g. 2m, 250 ml, 30%, 24 2.1, but use words for numbers under 1 00 or beginning a sentence, e.g. four men, forty-three samples (note hyphen), 145 sheep. Do not use a comma or space in numbers up to 9999; large numbers should be divided into groups of three figures with a space (but no comma) between each group, e.g. 2570, 10 300, 42 500 000.
vi) Dates and times Back to top	In the text write out the month in full, e.g. 27 January 1972, though this may be shortened in tables and figures. Use the form 2-7 January for a period of time within a single month, but the form 'from 2 January to 10 February' for longer periods and 1972-81 not 1972-1981. Use the 24-hour clock for tinies of day, e.g. 06.30 hours. Radiocarbon dates should be quoted in the form '2500 years B.P.' or '550 B.C.' (not bp or bc). In tables listing radiocarbon determinations, laboratory reference numbers as given in Radiocarbon should be quoted.
vii) Acknowledgements	These should be kept short.
viii) References Back to top	References should be cited in the text in the following forms: White (1972); White (1972a, b); White and Black (1973); White, Black and Grey (1974); (White, 1972) (White, 1970, 1971); (White, 1970; Black, 1971). For three authors, all names should be given throughout. Use et al. throughout if there are more than three authors. List references in alphabetical order at the end of the paper in the following standard form, giving the journal titles in full. Ansell, A.D., Lander, K.F., Coughlan, J.& Loosmore, F.A. (1964) Studies on the hardshell clam,Venus mercenaries, in British Waters. 1. Growth and reproduction in natural and experimental colonies. Journal of Applied Ecology, 1, 63-82. Duffy, E. & Watts, A.S.(Eds.) (1971) The Scientific Management of Animal and Plant Communities for Conservation. Symposia of the British Ecological Society, 1 1. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford. Hudson, J.P. (1965) Gauges for the study of evapotranspiration rates. Methodology of Plant Eco-Physicology (Ed. by F. E. Eckardt) pp. 443- 52 Proceedings of the Montpellier Symposium 1962. UNESCO, Paris. Hutchingson, G.E. (1971) Scale effects in ecology. Spatial Patterns and Statistical Distributions. Vol. I. Statistical Ecology (Ed. by G.P.Patil, E.C.Pielou and W.E.Waters) pp. xvii- xxvi. Pennsylvania University Press, University Park. Smith, RC. (1975) A study of the winterfeeding ecology and behaviour of the bar-tailed godwit Limosa lapponica. Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, University of Durham. Quote conference reports by the year of publication, not the year of the meeting unless in title. Ensure that all references are cited accurately. The editors will not check references in detail, but any errors that are detected usually delay publication. A paper may only be cited 'in press' if it has been accepted by a journal, and then the journal must be cited in the References. Papers not yet accepted should be cited in the text as 'unpublished' and not as 'in preparation', and omitted from the References; cite the initials of the author(s) of unpublished work.

Tables & Illustrations

General

Tables, plates and figures should be kept in separate series and numbered in Arabic numerals. The approximate position of each should be indicated in the margin of the typescript. It is very important that they should be readily understood without reference to the text.

i) Tables

Study the lay-out of tables published in the journal.

The heading to the table should be brief whilst including all the relevant information. Additional information can be given as a footnote below the table.

ii) Figures

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Draw figures in black ink on plastic, tracing paper or feint-ruled graph paper. Bear in mind, when preparing a figure, that after reduction it must fit the type area (131 x 202) and yet not lose clarity. Aim for a 50% linear reduction with lines 0.5 mm thick.

If subniitting photographs, please send two prints or enclose photocopies with your text. Clearly mark the latter to show labelling and orientation; on the photocopies but not on the original. Please cheek with the Managing Editor that photographs will be acceptable.

Explanatory material, keys to symbols, etc., should be placed in the legend to the figures; it may also be added to the figure itself where this aids clarity.

Proofs

General

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Page proofs or modified typescripts will be returned to authors for checking. Please retain a copy at all stages. The proofs should be corrected, and returned to the Managing Editor with the least possible delay. Only essential corrections should be made. Authors are asked to pay particular attention to the checking of numerical matter, mathematical formulae (see earlier), tables, lists of names and references. Authors, when returning proofs, should indicate if they wish the original of their text-figures to be returned to them.

Advice to New Contributors (mainly for new authors)

General
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Remember that your objective is to communicate information to readers and consider first what information you wish to communicate. Try to imagine yourself as the reader and bear in mind the kind of person you expect to read your paper. Hopefully, you will have selected your journal accordingly.

Writing your paper is arguably the most important phase of your research programme; work that is unpublished or badly presented is essentially work not done.

Ask a colleague to read the whole of your paper critically before the final version is typed. The following advice gives only in outline what many books on scientific writing spell out in detail.

Remember that, in spite of excuses to the contrary, surveys show that most ecologists agree very closely on what is an ideal style (see Kirkman (1975) Bulletin of the British Ecological Society, VI, ii). That style is direct and concise. Practise this before writing for public scrutiny.

Most readers are busy people, so your paper should be direct and concise. Few people will read your paper in full. Most will read only the Title, probably in a current awareness journal or in a list of contents; many will read the Title and Summary but nothing else; some will read the Summary and Introduction, look carefully at figures and tables and perhaps scan the text. A few people will read the whole paper carefully.

Main Elements of your Paper or Article

A)
Papers presenting the results of experimental or practical work.

Title

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The title is the most important part of your paper. On the basis of the title, readers will decide whether to read further. It should be informative, accurate, and as succinct as possible. It should reflect the content and ecological significance of the paper.

Surnrnary

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The summary is perhaps the next most important part of your paper. It should state clearly and briefly the object of your study, the methods used, the results obtained and your conclusions. It should not exceed 5% of the length of your paper and not introduce ideas or information not in the text. It may be in the form of short, numbered paragraphs.

Introduction

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Since it is sometimes difficult to introduce something which you have not yet written, it may be advisable to write this section last.

The introduction sets the scene for your paper. It should say why you did the work. If the work follows from other published papers, a brief statement with a few key references will be sufficient. Some of your readers may already know the literature, so don't repeat the obvious. However, this is a Journal with broad appeal, so many readers will find an introduction to key literature both helpful and informative. If the paper introduces a new line of approach or reasoning, a more detailed argument may be needed. The logic of your argument should be clearly stated in its ecological context.

Materials & Method
This section is probably the easiest to write. We suggest that you start writing it first. Carefully read the detailed guidance in the Instructions section.

Results

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The text of the results section should focus the reader's attention on the features that you regard as being most important. Do not reiterate all the data presented in figures and tables.

After the Title and Summary, the data are next in importance. Present the data so that the reader can grasp the important features as quickly and easily as possible. Both figures and tables are far more effective than long verbal descriptions. In general, figures are most effective; but good original data of lasting value should be presented in tables or appendices, arranged to use space efficiently, e.g., by condensing tables containing large numbers of zeros. Use figures to illustrate derived values, fitted models or hypotheses. Give careful thought to the headings of tables and legends of figures; without them, the data is often meaningless. If you want the reader to compare sets of data, present them in grouped figures (e.g., Fig. 1a-d) or in a single table or group of tables.

Indicate the statistical significance of data by relevant standard deviations or other statistics. If you have used a new, complex or unusual analysis, describe them in Matrials and Methods and where necessary, give references. Observe normal statistical practices, especially if the data are nor normally distributed, or if the variance is not independant of the mean.

Discussion
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The object of the Discussion is to place your findings in the context of previous studies and the present state of subject. If you wish to express opinions on the value, validity and veracity of your own work and that of others, they should be backed-up by evidence. Most referees and editors will allow space for a small amount of speculation and suggestion for further study. You may be more tempted to extend the discussion than nay other section. Take extra care to make it as precise and concise as possible.

Acknowledgements& References

B)
Papers or articles esentially presenting or review or discussion of some aspect of practical ecology or conservation

The format here is more flexible, but will normally include the following elements:

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Title

Summary

Introduction

Discussion

Conlcusion

Acknowledgements

References

Sumary of Advice

Please Remember!

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Read at least one good book on scientific writing and heed its advice;

Carefully define the main objective of the work and conclusions you wish to communicate in your paper;

Consider which would be the most suitable journal for your paper, on the basis of its content and readership;

Carefully define your potential readers. Write with them in mind d try to imagine yourself in their position;

Do not start at the introduction and work systematically through;

Start at the easiest part, usually Materails and Mehods. Leave the most difficult parts until last (usually the Discussion and Introduction), but make the purpose of your paper clear;

Remeber that very few people wil read the whole of your paper;

The parts, in order of importance, are the Title, Summary, Data and the rest;

Most readers are busy people who see many hundreds of papaers a year. Make it easy for them to extract the essence of your paper in the Title, Summary and figures;

Your reputation will not be enhanced by a permanent record of woolly thinking;

Write a direct, precise and concise style;

Please be brief!

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(These notes are based in part on 'A Guide for Contributors to the Journal and Symposia of the British Ecological Society.' Revised, 1983).

All Rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the permission of Wildtrack Publishing, the copyright owners.

We do our best to ensure that the information/artuicles in the Journal are accurate. However, we cannot take responsibility or accept liabilty for any errors which do occur. The views expressed by the contributors to this Journal are not necessarily those of the Editor of Wildtrack Publishing.

Copyright © Wildtrack Publishing, P.O.Box 1142, Sheffield S1 1SZ

By submitting a paper to the Journal of Practical Ecology and Conservation the authour(s) implies (imply) that it is original, unpublished material, not being considered for publicatiuon elsewhere and that the copyright for his/her/their article is accpeted for publication. The copyright includes the exclusive rights to reproduce and distribute the article. Copies for educational purposes or academic research purposes are allowable.

Correspondence concerning editorial matters should be directed to:

The Managing Editor
Dr. Ian D. Rotherham
Wildtrack Publishing
P.O. Box 1142
Sheffield S1 1SZ

Alternatively, the Managing Editor can be contacted i.d.rotherham@shu.ac.uk . Please leave a return address.

Pages designed, constructed & maintained by Chris Percy © June 2000 © Wildtrack Publishing, 2000

A)	Papers presenting the results of experimental or practical work.
Title Back to top	The title is the most important part of your paper. On the basis of the title, readers will decide whether to read further. It should be informative, accurate, and as succinct as possible. It should reflect the content and ecological significance of the paper.
Surnrnary Back to top	The summary is perhaps the next most important part of your paper. It should state clearly and briefly the object of your study, the methods used, the results obtained and your conclusions. It should not exceed 5% of the length of your paper and not introduce ideas or information not in the text. It may be in the form of short, numbered paragraphs.
Introduction Back to top	Since it is sometimes difficult to introduce something which you have not yet written, it may be advisable to write this section last. The introduction sets the scene for your paper. It should say why you did the work. If the work follows from other published papers, a brief statement with a few key references will be sufficient. Some of your readers may already know the literature, so don't repeat the obvious. However, this is a Journal with broad appeal, so many readers will find an introduction to key literature both helpful and informative. If the paper introduces a new line of approach or reasoning, a more detailed argument may be needed. The logic of your argument should be clearly stated in its ecological context.
Materials & Method	This section is probably the easiest to write. We suggest that you start writing it first. Carefully read the detailed guidance in the Instructions section.
Results Back to top	The text of the results section should focus the reader's attention on the features that you regard as being most important. Do not reiterate all the data presented in figures and tables. After the Title and Summary, the data are next in importance. Present the data so that the reader can grasp the important features as quickly and easily as possible. Both figures and tables are far more effective than long verbal descriptions. In general, figures are most effective; but good original data of lasting value should be presented in tables or appendices, arranged to use space efficiently, e.g., by condensing tables containing large numbers of zeros. Use figures to illustrate derived values, fitted models or hypotheses. Give careful thought to the headings of tables and legends of figures; without them, the data is often meaningless. If you want the reader to compare sets of data, present them in grouped figures (e.g., Fig. 1a-d) or in a single table or group of tables. Indicate the statistical significance of data by relevant standard deviations or other statistics. If you have used a new, complex or unusual analysis, describe them in Matrials and Methods and where necessary, give references. Observe normal statistical practices, especially if the data are nor normally distributed, or if the variance is not independant of the mean.
Discussion Back to top	The object of the Discussion is to place your findings in the context of previous studies and the present state of subject. If you wish to express opinions on the value, validity and veracity of your own work and that of others, they should be backed-up by evidence. Most referees and editors will allow space for a small amount of speculation and suggestion for further study. You may be more tempted to extend the discussion than nay other section. Take extra care to make it as precise and concise as possible.
	Acknowledgements& References

B)	Papers or articles esentially presenting or review or discussion of some aspect of practical ecology or conservation
The format here is more flexible, but will normally include the following elements: Back to top	Title Summary Introduction Discussion Conlcusion Acknowledgements References