PUBLICATION OF TECHNICAL ARTICLES
This guidance has been produced by the Transportation Professional Panel based on
existing guidance and further contributions from CIHT’s Learned Society and Technical
Strategy Board (LSTSB) and the External Affairs & Communication Strategy Board
(EACSB) along with associated Panels. It is split into three sections:
•
•
•
GUIDELINE NOTES FOR TECHNICAL BOARDS
GUIDELINE NOTES FOR AUTHORS
GUIDELINE CRITERIA FOR PEER REVIEWS
Any suggested changes to the Guidance Notes should be directed to the Transportation
Professional Panel for consideration.
GUIDELINE NOTES FOR TECHNICAL BOARDS
1
Introduction
1.1
The preparation, delivery and publication of technical papers is a most important
aspect of the work of the Institution which is highly regarded by the membership.
1.2
The Institution’s Journal ‘Transportation Professional’ together with the
improvements to the Institution’s website provide the opportunity of a more
integrated approach in the publication of papers, making best use of the
respective media and widening availability. The Transportation Professional
Panel has accordingly developed interim Guidance to Authors which will be
revised and updated in the light of experience.
1.3
The guidance is based upon the principle that all papers considered suitable for
publication will usually be placed on the Institution website in the Members Area
‘My CIHT’. Those considered to be particularly topical or relevant will be
summarised in the journal 'Transportation Professional' and a full version placed
on the website in ‘My CIHT’.
1.4
The number of papers to be accommodated on the website is for present
purposes considered to be unlimited, but issues of maintaining currency and
archiving arrangements may need further consideration in due course. For
‘Transportation Professional’ it is presently proposed that each issue will provide
space for either 500 words (1 page) or 1000 words (2 pages) of technical papers
summaries. This allocation may be reviewed in the light of financial and
advertising considerations or of course an over-riding need for publication of a
crucially important piece.
2
Commissioning, Selection and Approval of Papers
2.1
The LSTSB and the EACSB have a key role in the commissioning, selection and
approval of papers.
2.2
Technical papers for potential publication can arise from a number of sources:a)
b)
c)
d)
Specially commissioned to meet a perceived requirement
Selected from Branch or Conference Proceedings as being worthy of
wider availability
Submitted by Members on an ad-hoc basis
The technical report of a CIHT evening lecture
2.3
Although papers need not reflect the views of the Institution they should seek to
extend present knowledge or challenge established practice where necessary. It
is therefore important to ensure that both the content and style are of a high
quality suitable for publication. It is proposed that CIHT Boards deal with the
former and Transportation Professional editorial staff the latter.
2.4
Specifically it is proposed that the CIHT Boards:a)
Establish and maintain a preferred forward programme for technical
papers, based upon their understanding of emerging membership and
market requirements. The preferred programmes of each Board will be
integrated together with the preferred advertising schedule for the journal
to produce by agreement a combined preferred programme, which will be
monitored quarterly.
b)
Wherever possible indicate preferences on suitability of subject for
publication on the website or in the journal.
c)
Either commission or encourage relevant technical papers to support this
preferred programme.
d)
Provide advice on the programming of papers associated with
conferences.
e)
Assess the suitability and relevance of articles submitted on an ad hoc
basis by Members.
f)
Nominate peer reviewers for each of the technical areas covered by the
respective Board
g)
Arrange peer reviews for papers including liaison and advice to authors
on suitability and possible modifications.
h)
Where possible suggest possible advertisers which might have particular
synergy with the paper and might consequently be approached to
purchase complementary advertising.
2.5
Clearly this process will require some systematic coordination and it is proposed
that this be provided through the Director of Professional & Business
Development, who will already have a close understanding of the work and
aspirations of the CIHT Boards
2.6
The final decision on all material for inclusion in ‘Transportation Professional’,
including technical paper summaries, will remain with the Editor but he will do his
best to accommodate the preferences of CIHT Boards wherever possible. The
Transportation Professional Panel will monitor the process and review this with
the CIHT Boards by agreement.
GUIDELINE NOTES FOR AUTHORS
3
Guidance to Authors
3.1
The section below sets out guidance notes to authors. Any author who has been
invited to produce an article should be given these, and the criteria for the peer
review, when they have been asked to draft an article. Any member who submits
an article on an ad-hoc basis should initially be informed as to whether the
relevant board considers that the topic is, in principle, one which they would
support an article being published. If the article is supported, the author should
be sent the guidance notes and asked to ensure that they are satisfied that it
meets the quality standards set out in the notes before it is formally reviewed and
taken forward for publication.
4
Acceptance of Articles for Publication
4.1
Thank you for agreeing to contribute a commissioned technical article for
publication by the Institution for the wider benefit of the membership. All articles
considered suitable will be published in the CIHT journal 'Transportation
Professional'.
4.2
The article accepted for publication should be topical and seek to extend present
knowledge. It is important that technical articles are presented as clearly and
succinctly as possible to ensure that they are easily understandable and
accessible to the membership as a whole.
4.3
Articles should be 500 words in length - equivalent to one page in the Journal.
Occasionally longer articles up to 1000 words – equivalent to two pages - may be
published but there is likely to be a longer lead time for these. References should
be included to direct the reader to other sources for more detail as appropriate.
All text should be provided in electronic Word format together with one hard copy
in double line spacing.
4.4
Photographs, illustrations, diagrams and tables can improve accessibility and
understanding of technical articles. These are preferred when making a
submission but should not exceed a maximum of three. They should be provided
in electronic form wherever possible. Images should be supplied as TIFF, JPG or
EPS files and should be at a resolution of 300dpi. For further information on
submitting images please contact jon@barrett-byrd.com
4.5
Submitted articles should include biographical details of the author, preferably
not exceeding 50 words, and also a 'head and shoulders' electronic photograph.
4.6
Authors of technical articles have the optional opportunity to submit a full length
technical paper, up to 5000 words, for CIHT website publication.
4.7
Articles will be subject to a ‘peer review’ process prior to publication; details of
this process are given below. This will be managed by the Panel and authors
must undertake to comply with the peer review procedure and final submission.
GUIDELINE CRITERIA FOR PEER REVIEWS
5
The purpose of the peer review
5.1
The purpose of undertaking a peer review is to act as a form of quality control for
articles that appear in the journal. When undertaking the review the draft article
should be judged against the following criteria. It is not expected that all articles
will fully meet all these requirements, but they should score a minimum, of say
6/10, on each and more on those which are considered “key” for the particular
topic in question.
5.2
If the article fails to meet a satisfactory standard in the view of one or more of the
reviewers the author should be given the opportunity to revise the article in the
light of the comments.
6
The criteria
Articles should aim to:
•
Have a clearly stated purpose, such as to describe a technical development,
research, innovation, policy or delivery of a proposal and share information about
the issues raised and lessons learnt with the wider audience of journal readers.
•
Contain facts that are accurate, of interest and relevance to the purpose of the
article.
•
Be written in plain English and in a way in which makes the article readable,
understandable and potentially interesting to those who may not be experts in the
particular topic.
•
Explain why the development, innovation, facts and other matters being
described and discussed are of interest to readers. They should also explain
why and how they will lead to change, such as improvements in services, or
delivery of national and local policy or contribute towards the achievement of the
aims of the profession and its members.
•
Draw conclusions – such as what has been learnt from a project or development
or piece of research and provide some guidance and advice to others working in
the same or similar areas. This could assist in the dissemination of good practise
and avoid the possibility of “mistakes” being repeated.
•
Should contain a list of any relevant references and provide links to other
material and websites if appropriate.
•
If appropriate look to the future – and point to gaps in information, give ideas
where further work or research is required and stimulate a response and, where
appropriate, a debate about the issue or project when considered in a wider
context.
7
Arrangements for Submission and Approval
7.1
It is intended that technical articles that have been reviewed and found to be of
an acceptable quality will be published within a few months of their receipt.
Please be aware that a particular publication date cannot be guaranteed.
7.2
After approval by an appropriate Board, the article may be reviewed by editorial
staff at Transportation Professional who may suggest modifications aimed at
improving overall presentation, layout and understanding. The approval of
authors will be sought to any changes of significance.
8
Conclusions
8.1
Authors of technical articles in the journal make a very significant contribution to
work of the Institution. These guidelines are intended to ensure that the
Institution delivers consistent high quality in published material, accessible to the
widest possible readership, to production programmes, whilst maintaining
authors influence over the content of their articles.
8.2
There may need to be further guidance in due course dealing more specifically
with issues relating to website publication including retention periods and
archiving.
Transportation Professional Panel
December 2010