American Archivist
Editorial Policy
The American Archivist is the semi-annual journal of the Society of
American Archivists. It seeks to reflect thinking about theoretical and practical
developments in the archival profession, particularly in North America; about
the relationships between archivists and the creators and users of archives;
and about cultural, social, legal, and technological developments that affect
the nature of recorded information and the need to create and maintain it.
The American Archivist is a refereed journal. Each submission will
be reviewed by experts in the subject matter of the submission and a final
decision for publication will be based on this review.
JOURNAL CONTENTS
The American Archivist features a variety of types and lengths of
articles. Except for book reviews, all inquiries and submissions should be
directed to:
Editor
Mary Jo Pugh
2928 Deerpark Drive
Walnut Creek, CA 94598
925/938-1419
AmericanArchivist@archivists.org
Research Articles are analytical and critical expositions based on
original investigation or on systematic review of literature. A wide variety
of subjects are encouraged.
Case Studies are analytical reports of projects or activities that
take place in a specific setting and offer the basis for emulation or comparison
in other settings.
Perspectives are commentaries, reflective or opinion pieces, addressing
issues or practices that concern archivists and their constituents.
International Scene pieces may include elements of any of the above
formats in covering archival developments outside the United States.
Professional Resources can be annotated bibliographies, other items
designed for practical use within the profession, or essays that review the
developments (as opposed to the literature) in specified areas in a way that
describes particular initiatives and places them in the context of broader
trends.
The Forum contains letters to the editor commenting on recently published
articles or other topics of interest to the profession.
The Reviews department evaluates books and other archival literature
as well as the tools and products of archival activity such as finding aids,
microfilm editions, audiovisual materials, exhibits, and computer software.
On occasion it includes review essays to permit comparative analysis of related
publications. Reviewers are selected by the Reviews editor. Direct inquiries
to:
Reviews Editor
Jeannette Allis Bastian
Simmons College
GSLIS
300 The Fenway
Boston, MA 02115-5898
617/521-2808
fax 617/521-3192
jeannette.bastian@simmons.edu
SUBMITTING MANUSCRIPTS
Manuscripts may be submitted either electronically as e-mail attachments or in hard copy. Electronic submissions are preferred. If you need to submit hard copies, please send four copies of the manuscript.
Electronic submissions should be in Microsoft Word or in Rich Text Format. Both text (including lengthy block quotations) and notes should be double-spaced. Footnotes are preferred over endnotes. All pages should be numbered.
The author’s name and address should appear only on the title page, which should be separate from the main text of the manuscript. The preferred maximum length is 8,000 words for research articles and surveys, and 3,000 words for case studies and perspectives, but these length requirements can be waived for certain articles in consultation with the editor. All articles must be accompanied by a 100-word abstract and author’s biographical statement.
Illustrations are welcome
in all departments. Please do not embed images in text. Only photocopies
of photographs need be included with the initial submission of an article.
Photo captioning should be on a separate list at the end of hte article.
Digital images (300 dpi TIFF) will be required when and if the
article is accepted for publication.
Editors of the American Archivist use the Chicago Manual of Style,
15th edition (University of Chicago, 2003), as the standard of style and
endnote format, and Webster's Third New International Dictionary of the
English Language, (Merriam-Webster Inc., 1995) for spelling. Terms having
special meanings for members of the profession should conform to the definitions
in A Glossary for Archivists,
Manuscripts Curators, and Records Managers, Richard Pearce-Moses (Chicago:
Society of American Archivists, 2005). Authors' variations from these standards
should
be minimal
and purposeful.
The American Archivist will not consider a manuscript that is being
reviewed by another journal at the same time, nor will it normally consider
an article that has been published previously in a similar form. A separate
reprinting policy has been prepared, but normally reprinting will be initiated
by the editor.
The author is responsible for understanding and following the principles
that govern the "fair use" of quotations and illustrations and
for obtaining written permission to publish, where necessary. Accuracy in
endnote citations is also the author's responsibility, although the editors
may occasionally confirm the accuracy of selected citations. Authors are
required to assign copyright of their work to the journal but can expect
to receive permission for subsequent use of their work without restrictions.
REVIEW AND PRODUCTION PROCEDURES
Manuscripts are sent out (without the author's name) for peer review by
two readers who evaluate them and recommend acceptance, rejection, or revision.
Author notification of a final decision normally takes a minimum of three months. Acceptance for publication is usually on the condition that
specified revisions be made. If an article is accepted, the author will be
requested to prepare a brief biographical sketch to accompany the published
article. Authors are given the opportunity to approve all editorial changes
and to review page proofs for correction of printers' errors. The minimum
editorial and production cycle--which includes receipt of a manuscript, review,
acceptance, revision, page makeup, printing and distribution--is approximately
twelve months; various factors can affect that time period.
Authors will receive two complimentary copies of the journal in which their
articles appear; reviewers receive two tear-sheets. Reprints/offprints may
be ordered at the time page proofs are sent to the author for review.
ADDITIONAL INQUIRIES
Address additional inquiries about the American Archivist to:
Teresa Brinati
Director of Publications
Society of American Archivists
527 S. Wells, 5th Floor
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 922-0140 Fax: (312) 347-1452
tbrinati@archivists.org
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