GUIDE FOR CONTRIBUTORS
The Journal of Biocommunication began publication in 1974. As of 2000, it incorporates the Journal of Biological Photography that began publication in 1931 as the Journal of the Biological Photographic Association. The JBC has always been dedicated to serving as a showcase for biocommunication techniques; describing proven and experimental procedures in medical art, illustration, and photography, instructional design, information retrieval, and other communication modalities applied in the health sciences; encouraging the sharing of biocommunication materials; promoting excellence and the sharing of articles and information that may influence the course of the profession; and encouraging recognition for high quality contributions.

The JBC welcomes unsolicited materials for consideration. See the inside table of contents page for mailing addresses. With submissions, authors warrant that manuscripts have not been published previously and assign copyright to the JBC. Contributions are reviewed by selected referees. Editors may revise any accepted material for length and JBC style. To increase clarity and conciseness, the JBC uses active voice and first-person recounting. The active voice employs statements such as students preferred this model rather than this model was preferred by students. A first-person recounting appears as We found a statistical significance rather than The authors found a statistical significance or A statistical significance was found. The JBC follows The Chicago Manual of Style (1993. 14th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press). General guidelines for submitting manuscripts are presented below.

Preparation of Manuscripts

All manuscripts must be typed or printed double-spaced on one side only of 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper. Allow at least one inch for margins on all sides. Number text pages with Arabic numerals in the upper right corner. Submit the original and one clear copy of the manuscript. Additionally, the JBC requests that authors include a computer diskette containing the manuscript using any of the following software programs: Macintosh-compatible Adobe Illustrator ™, Macromedia Freehand ™, Adobe Photoshop ™, Microsoft Word ™; or PC-compatible Adobe Illustrator ™, Adobe Photoshop ™, Corel Draw ™, Word Perfect ™; or Microsoft Word ™. Tables may be included as graphics or as part of a word program. ASCII files are always appreciated. Authors should retain duplicates of all materials submitted. Additionally, art work submitted electronically should be PC or Macintosh TIFF or EPS. All files should be saved as CMYK or grayscale or bitmap at 300 DPI. Electronic files should be delivered on the following types of electronic PC or Macintosh disks: Zip 100, Jazz, or CD ROM.

Features should not exceed 2500 words. The word count should include the abstract. Delete 200 words for each illustration. The maximum length for article titles is 70 characters, including spaces. An abstract of up to 80 words, typed on a separate sheet, should accompany every Feature article. Write very brief biographical sketches of authors on a separate sheet at the end of the article.
Viewpoint and Professional Insight submissions should not exceed 1500 words. Abstracts are not necessary for manuscripts in these categories. A photograph of the author should be submitted with each Viewpoint column.
Subheadings should be typed flush left preceding paragraphs with new thought. If subheads have different values, indicate in the margin as level one or two.
Footnotes should be used sparingly. Indicate by an asterisk and place the note on a separate line at the bottom of the typewritten page.

References

Citation in text. The JBC uses the author-date method of citation recommended by The Chicago Manual of Style (See Chapter 16 in the 14th edition). The surnames of the authors and date of publication are enclosed in parentheses and inserted in the text at the appropriate point. For example: Jones (1996) has demonstrated that or A study of computer use in medicine (Jones 1996) If a work has three or more authors, use the name of the first author followed by "et al.," in the text citation. However, in the reference list include all authors’ names.
Reference list. The list of works cited is arranged alphabetically by senior author’s last name and placed at the end of the article. Carefully examine reference forms shown below. Note that the down-style is preferred for books and article titles.

Journal article Singarella, T. 1986. The case of the Egyptian mummy head. The Journal of Biocommunication 13(3):17-21.

Book Jinkins, J. Randy. 2000. Atlas of Neuroradiologic Embryology, Anatomy, and Variants. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Chapter in book Jinkins, J. Randy. 2000. The Spine. In Atlas of Neuroradiologic Embryology, Anatomy, and Variants. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Illustrations

Electronic files, slides, prints, Zip or CD copies are acceptable. See specifications below. Artwork will be returned to artists and photographers by regular mail following publication. Contributors submitting color files electronically should also submit hard copy output that shows example of satisfactory color reproduction. If original artwork is submitted, the JBC cannot be responsible for any damage during mailing or processing. Artists and photographers are responsible for insuring their work if they desire.

Feature Articles. Use black and white art, graphics, and photographs. Deduct two-thirds of a typed page (200 words) from the allowable length of the manuscript for each illustration. Submit continuous tone and line illustrations and one print of each.
Electronic file formats should be PC or Macintosh TIFF or EPS. All files should be saved as CMYK, grayscale or bitmap at 300 ppi, maximum 8 10 inches. Electronic files should be delivered on the following types of electronic PC or Macintosh disks: Zip 100, Jazz, CD or DVD ROM. Prepare original art to fit well after reduction to varying column widths. If an illustration has been published previously, include a letter of permission from the copyright holder. Have artwork professionally drawn and lettered, and indicate any cropping necessary. If illustrations are to be grouped, provide a sketch of the suggested grouping. Do not mount the illustrations. Identify all illustrations by writing in soft pencil on the back the figure number and senior author’s surname. Provide a descriptive legend of 40 words maximum for each figure. Type the legends in numerical order on a separate sheet.
Cover/Gallery Submissions. Black and white or color art, graphics and photographs are acceptable. Electronic file formats should be submitted as outlined above.

JBC Vol. 29, No. 4 2003