Author Guidelines Are Here!

Abstract

Last year more manuscripts were submitted to the Journal than ever before. The growing interest in publishing nutrition research papers and related manuscripts is indicative of the growing importance of the field. You are leaders in nutrition research, education, and patient care who value these results and apply them to your daily pursuits.Of course, with increased submissions come both increased acceptances and, unfortunately, increased disappointment for authors whose manuscripts are not accepted. What can you do to enhance your chances of having your manuscript accepted for publication? Easy. Check out the updated Author Guidelines (p 149).The Board of Editors has contributed much time and effort to improving these guidelines to enhance your chances of clearly addressing the objectives for each section. A few tips and ideas are offered below to help would-be authors gain success in their efforts to publish their work.How to Enhance Your Chances of Publishing in the Journal1Read the guidelines: Because there are many different types of manuscripts submitted to the Journal, there are detailed instructions for each format. Choosing ahead of time the category that best represents the type of work you are submitting will help you write the manuscript targeting the key features. Statements of Institutional Review Board approval or exemption are mandatory for all research papers.2Pay close attention to experimental design and state a priori hypotheses: When submitting research papers or briefs to the Journal, please specify the primary hypotheses that were tested and the study design applied. Subsequently, the results reported should reflect the hypotheses that were tested based on the design that was used. It is wise to deliberately make these statements rather than thinking that readers and reviewers will make appropriate assumptions.3Use validated methodology: Studies that are based upon data collected using validated methods are prioritized over studies that do not. It is important to state clearly the types of methods that were used and if there are limitations regarding the nature of the data collection due to the absence of validated methodology. Consider doing the work needed to validate the methods first.4Write a critical, evidence-based, and updated review of a topic of interest: Review papers are welcome additions to the research papers because these often facilitate the work of the readership that typically include readers from outside the profession.•Background sections from masters or doctoral theses are not typically acceptable as review papers because they lack the fundamental critique that is what differentiates the quality of different types of research.•A meta-analysis is an especially valuable method for reviewing and contrasting various study methods. It offers readers the benefit of a succinct comparison of outcomes using standardized criteria.•Review papers of emerging topics that have relatively little but valuable research data are likewise welcome.5Practice word economy and limit tables and figures to only those that are most needed: Like most journals, page limitations are always a consideration for publication. Authors are highly encouraged to streamline, minimize, and summarize only the most important and relevant content without elaborating on interesting but unessential details. Often the difference between an accepted manuscript and one that is deemed of interest but hopelessly confounded is the skill of the authors to be succinct. Recruiting an outside editor can be very helpful.6Consider a Perspectives in Practice paper if limitations in study design, sample size, or generalizability exist: This option offers authors a place to publish well-conducted pilot studies on topics of emerging interest. All other aspects of publishing high-quality research papers are expected as well, but if the topic is relatively new but likely to be of growing importance, the Journal is interested in supporting these types of manuscripts.7Industry-funded research should include an External Data Safety and Monitoring Board if at all possible: With proper funding disclosure and full transparency regarding potential conflicts of interest among authors, industry-sponsored studies may be published if they pass peer review. Giving thought to these parameters before initiating industry-sponsored research is highly encouraged.Complete CPE OnlineStarting this month the Journal and the Commission on Dietetic Registration offer a new benefit to ADA members. Continuing Professional Education (CPE) quizzes can now be completed electronically through ADA’s Online Business Center. Quizzes will be scored instantaneously online, and once participants complete an entire quiz correctly, they’ll be able to add the CPE credit for the activity directly into their Professional Development Portfolios.We look forward to reviewing and publishing meritorious research in the year ahead. Happy New Year reading.Best Regards. Last year more manuscripts were submitted to the Journal than ever before. The growing interest in publishing nutrition research papers and related manuscripts is indicative of the growing importance of the field. You are leaders in nutrition research, education, and patient care who value these results and apply them to your daily pursuits. Of course, with increased submissions come both increased acceptances and, unfortunately, increased disappointment for authors whose manuscripts are not accepted. What can you do to enhance your chances of having your manuscript accepted for publication? Easy. Check out the updated Author Guidelines (p 149). The Board of Editors has contributed much time and effort to improving these guidelines to enhance your chances of clearly addressing the objectives for each section. A few tips and ideas are offered below to help would-be authors gain success in their efforts to publish their work. How to Enhance Your Chances of Publishing in the Journal1Read the guidelines: Because there are many different types of manuscripts submitted to the Journal, there are detailed instructions for each format. Choosing ahead of time the category that best represents the type of work you are submitting will help you write the manuscript targeting the key features. Statements of Institutional Review Board approval or exemption are mandatory for all research papers.2Pay close attention to experimental design and state a priori hypotheses: When submitting research papers or briefs to the Journal, please specify the primary hypotheses that were tested and the study design applied. Subsequently, the results reported should reflect the hypotheses that were tested based on the design that was used. It is wise to deliberately make these statements rather than thinking that readers and reviewers will make appropriate assumptions.3Use validated methodology: Studies that are based upon data collected using validated methods are prioritized over studies that do not. It is important to state clearly the types of methods that were used and if there are limitations regarding the nature of the data collection due to the absence of validated methodology. Consider doing the work needed to validate the methods first.4Write a critical, evidence-based, and updated review of a topic of interest: Review papers are welcome additions to the research papers because these often facilitate the work of the readership that typically include readers from outside the profession.•Background sections from masters or doctoral theses are not typically acceptable as review papers because they lack the fundamental critique that is what differentiates the quality of different types of research.•A meta-analysis is an especially valuable method for reviewing and contrasting various study methods. It offers readers the benefit of a succinct comparison of outcomes using standardized criteria.•Review papers of emerging topics that have relatively little but valuable research data are likewise welcome.5Practice word economy and limit tables and figures to only those that are most needed: Like most journals, page limitations are always a consideration for publication. Authors are highly encouraged to streamline, minimize, and summarize only the most important and relevant content without elaborating on interesting but unessential details. Often the difference between an accepted manuscript and one that is deemed of interest but hopelessly confounded is the skill of the authors to be succinct. Recruiting an outside editor can be very helpful.6Consider a Perspectives in Practice paper if limitations in study design, sample size, or generalizability exist: This option offers authors a place to publish well-conducted pilot studies on topics of emerging interest. All other aspects of publishing high-quality research papers are expected as well, but if the topic is relatively new but likely to be of growing importance, the Journal is interested in supporting these types of manuscripts.7Industry-funded research should include an External Data Safety and Monitoring Board if at all possible: With proper funding disclosure and full transparency regarding potential conflicts of interest among authors, industry-sponsored studies may be published if they pass peer review. Giving thought to these parameters before initiating industry-sponsored research is highly encouraged. 1Read the guidelines: Because there are many different types of manuscripts submitted to the Journal, there are detailed instructions for each format. Choosing ahead of time the category that best represents the type of work you are submitting will help you write the manuscript targeting the key features. Statements of Institutional Review Board approval or exemption are mandatory for all research papers.2Pay close attention to experimental design and state a priori hypotheses: When submitting research papers or briefs to the Journal, please specify the primary hypotheses that were tested and the study design applied. Subsequently, the results reported should reflect the hypotheses that were tested based on the design that was used. It is wise to deliberately make these statements rather than thinking that readers and reviewers will make appropriate assumptions.3Use validated methodology: Studies that are based upon data collected using validated methods are prioritized over studies that do not. It is important to state clearly the types of methods that were used and if there are limitations regarding the nature of the data collection due to the absence of validated methodology. Consider doing the work needed to validate the methods first.4Write a critical, evidence-based, and updated review of a topic of interest: Review papers are welcome additions to the research papers because these often facilitate the work of the readership that typically include readers from outside the profession.•Background sections from masters or doctoral theses are not typically acceptable as review papers because they lack the fundamental critique that is what differentiates the quality of different types of research.•A meta-analysis is an especially valuable method for reviewing and contrasting various study methods. It offers readers the benefit of a succinct comparison of outcomes using standardized criteria.•Review papers of emerging topics that have relatively little but valuable research data are likewise welcome. 5Practice word economy and limit tables and figures to only those that are most needed: Like most journals, page limitations are always a consideration for publication. Authors are highly encouraged to streamline, minimize, and summarize only the most important and relevant content without elaborating on interesting but unessential details. Often the difference between an accepted manuscript and one that is deemed of interest but hopelessly confounded is the skill of the authors to be succinct. Recruiting an outside editor can be very helpful.6Consider a Perspectives in Practice paper if limitations in study design, sample size, or generalizability exist: This option offers authors a place to publish well-conducted pilot studies on topics of emerging interest. All other aspects of publishing high-quality research papers are expected as well, but if the topic is relatively new but likely to be of growing importance, the Journal is interested in supporting these types of manuscripts.7Industry-funded research should include an External Data Safety and Monitoring Board if at all possible: With proper funding disclosure and full transparency regarding potential conflicts of interest among authors, industry-sponsored studies may be published if they pass peer review. Giving thought to these parameters before initiating industry-sponsored research is highly encouraged. Complete CPE OnlineStarting this month the Journal and the Commission on Dietetic Registration offer a new benefit to ADA members. Continuing Professional Education (CPE) quizzes can now be completed electronically through ADA’s Online Business Center. Quizzes will be scored instantaneously online, and once participants complete an entire quiz correctly, they’ll be able to add the CPE credit for the activity directly into their Professional Development Portfolios.We look forward to reviewing and publishing meritorious research in the year ahead. Happy New Year reading.Best Regards. Starting this month the Journal and the Commission on Dietetic Registration offer a new benefit to ADA members. Continuing Professional Education (CPE) quizzes can now be completed electronically through ADA’s Online Business Center. Quizzes will be scored instantaneously online, and once participants complete an entire quiz correctly, they’ll be able to add the CPE credit for the activity directly into their Professional Development Portfolios. We look forward to reviewing and publishing meritorious research in the year ahead. Happy New Year reading. Best Regards.