Submission Guidelines

The Journal of Paleontological Sciences (JPS) is dedicated to recording and disseminating important scientific contributions to the paleontological community. We accept contributions from authors of all backgrounds including academic, avocational, amateur, and industry. JPS provides a free and open forum for the publication of original research, scientific description, historical reviews, trade articles, and relevant commentary.

JPSis published electronically over the Internet. Manuscripts must be submitted to the editor or to the executive director of AAPS. JPS only accepts submissions written in English. Publication is free, however authors are encouraged to become members of the AAPS, 501c3 nonprofit.

Topics for publication include, but are not limited to, vertebrate and invertebrate paleontology, paleobotany, and relevant geologic subjects. JPS has several categories available for submissions:

1. "Contributions"- Formal, peer-reviewed professional papers based upon original research in the field of paleontology.
2. "Historical"- Includes historical reviews and retrospectives on individuals, fossil sites, the impact of legislation on paleontology, and the development of scientific thought.
3. "Trade Articles"- Includes articles on fossil preparation, fieldwork, science education, and exhibits.
4. "Commentary"- Includes opinion pieces, book reviews, and rebuttals.

JPS retains copyright of all articles submitted and accepted. AAPS may also print the submissions in bound editions at the Boards discretion.

However, authors are free to distribute copies of their article wherever they may like. JPS requires that authors provide a link them back to the JPS web page and credit JPS when they distribute JPS articles.

Manuscripts that have already been published elsewhere may be published on JPS as long as the author(s) still retain the copyright. The authors are solely responsible for verifying their ownership of the copyright. The author must acquire and submit to JPS written permission to reproduce any illustration or text if taken from another publication.

1. They must pertain to a relevant topic within the sub-disciplines stated above.
2. They must be written with clarity of expression, clarity of purpose and clarity of significance.
3. They must present consistent, repeatable methodology.
4. They must present data that is testable and verifiable.
5. They must present falsifiable and testable hypotheses.
6. They may not serve as advertisements for products and services.
7. They must adhere to the publication format and guidelines for manuscript publication.
8. Inflammatory, hyperbolic, sexist, homophobic, or racist language must be entirely absent from submissions.
9. All specimens figured and described in manuscripts must have been collected or obtained in accordance with the AAPS Code of Ethics.
10. Manuscripts may base their data on specimens held in the public trust and specimens held in private title (*see special guidelines for those held with private title at the end of the Guidelines). If the author is not the owner of the private specimen, he/she must provide written permission from the owner with their submission.
11. All taxonomic descriptions must follow the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN). Due to ICZN rules and regulations we are unable to publish manuscripts arguing for new taxonomic names for privately held specimens. Specimens thought to represent new species or genera may be described, but they may not be named in the JPS

All submitted manuscripts for inclusion into the "Contributions" section will be peer reviewed by at least two, anonymous, independent experts who are familiar with the topics included in the manuscript. JPS will select peer reviewers from the Peer Review Board with expertise in the field of paleontology. Following peer review, the manuscript will be returned to the author with the reviewer's recommendations and suggestions. If significant changes are required, the manuscript must be modified and resubmitted to the editorial board. When the editorial board finishes their review, the paper is sent to the authors for a final round of edits. Authors then submit the final submission to the JPS chairman for inclusion in The Journal of Paleontological Sciences.

The Contribution Section publishes scientific papers describing new developments in the field of paleontology. However, at this time, JPS will not publish manuscripts naming new species, genera, families or higher taxonomic names. Manuscripts submitted to this section require review for content, style, grammar, readability and approval from the JPS Editorial Board. If the paper fails to comply with the requirements, it is to be returned to the author for changes. The JPS Editorial Board reserves the right to deny submissions publication if they fail to meet editorial standards.

The Trade Articles Section is for manuscripts pertaining to fossil preparation tools, tips & advice, exploration, excavation, documentation, tools, tips & advice, as well as uses in education. Manuscripts submitted to this section will require review for content, style, grammar, readability and approval from the JPS Review Board. JPS will review each manuscript to ensure that the paper follows the necessary requirements. If the paper fails to comply with the requirements, it is to be returned to the author for changes. The JPS Editorial Board reserves the right to deny submissions publication if they fail to meet editorial standards.

The Historical Articles Section includes informative and historical records of events, individuals, sites or excavations, the fossil trade, philosophy of science, and other topics of relevance to the history of paleontological thought. Manuscripts submitted to this section will require review for content, style, grammar, readability and approval from the JPS Review Board. JPS must review each manuscript to ensure that the paper follows the necessary requirements. The JPS Editorial Board reserves the right to deny submissions publication if they fail to meet editorial standards.

1. Articles submitted to the Commentary Section include perspectives and observations on other publications, on fossil policy, as well as ongoing developments in academia and industry. While JPS welcomes diverse and heterodox thinking, opinions or arguments that are inflammatory, hyperbolic, targeting specific persons, or mean-spirited are unprofessional and will be rejected. Manuscripts submitted to this section will require review for grammar, content, readability and approval from the JPS Review Board. JPS must review each manuscript to ensure that the paper follows the necessary requirements. If the paper fails to comply with the requirements, it is to be returned to the author for changes. The JPS Editorial Board reserves the right to deny submissions publication if they fail to meet editorial standards.

All manuscripts for the Contributions, Historical and Trade Articles of the journal must adhere to the following:

1. The following formats are acceptable for submission: .doc, .docx, .odt, .pdf. Submissions may also be shared via Google Drive.
2. Font should be in Times New Roman, all body text to be 12 or 11 pt. font.
3. Author(s) should include their affiliation(s) and email address(es). Designate at least one author as the corresponding author.
4. Page format should be 2.54 cm on all margins (this makes it easier for the Journal to format and print), portrait style, no headers (except page numbers), no footers.
5. Pages should be numbered in the upper right-hand corner

Within the Body of the Manuscript:

1. Submissions should follow standard models for scientific publications, eg: sections such as Abstract, Introduction, Methodology, Analysis, Conclusions and Works Cited. While different configurations are possible, JPS asks that submissions attempt consistency with respect to other published works.
2. Include an abstract that gives essential information about the article, including its purpose, results, and conclusion. (see Carpenter, K. 2007. How to write a scientific article. JPS.TD.07.0001).
3. Figures may be black & white or full-color. Image sizes should be at minimum 300 DPI. All illustrations, and photographs should also be sent separately as attachments in their original format.
4. Each Figure/Table, etc. must have a number and a name (such as Figure 1: Caudal Vertebrae), and be referenced somewhere in the text as (Fig. 1, Table 1, etc.).
5. Novel symbols and terminology should be defined in the body of the text.
6. All new paragraphs should be indented.
7. Leave a space between important sections or subsections of the manuscript.
8. All measurements should be in metric units (such as m for meters, mm for millimeters, cm for centimeters, etc.). Authors may include English equivalents in parentheses.
9. All genera and species names must be in italics (ie. Tyrannosaurus rex, T. rex, Triceratops, etc.).
10. All publications referenced in the text must be included in the Works Cited section.
11. Works Cited should follow APA style guidelines. Example:
    Wagemann, J. & Weger, U. (2021). Perceiving the other self: An experimental first-person account of nonverbal social interaction. The American Journal of Psychology, 134(4), 441–461. https://doi.org/10.5406/amerjpsyc.134.4.0441 See The Purdue Owl for more information on citation style guides.
12. All publications referenced in the text must be included in the Works Cited section.
13. When making in-text citations, use the standard format of placing the author(s)’ surname and the year the work referenced was published in parantheses, e.g. (Lastname, 20XX).

We encourage the publication of manuscripts based on specimens held in private ownership. Data generated from these specimens has not had a forum for public debate, historical record, and scientific inquiry. In order to address issues of independent verification and repeatability, however, these manuscripts must adhere to the following additional guidelines:

1. The specimen is held in a private collection or museum that has agreed (in writing) to provide access and reasonable accommodation to the specimen to all researchers provided the title holder is given sufficient to accommodate researchers. The title-holder may impose a fee for access to specimens.
2. The specimen was collected legally and possesses locality data in keeping with research standards.
3. The author must agree in writing to inform the JPS of the ownership and location of the specimen if either changes.
4. A permanent to semi-permanent registration # should affixed to the specimen or it's matrix; a specimen registry card should be kept with the specimen with name, all scientific & location data, and a direct reference and link to the published article on the JPS website.
5. The researcher and/or owner provides research quality photography and three-dimensional data to JPS for addition to the AAPS Digital Specimen Library.