Guidelines for the Submission of
Features Proposals


This document outlines guidelines for those who wish to submit proposals for the Features' section of this Journal

In preparing your proposal, consider the following...

1. A Theme consists of two or more related articles dealing with an important issue in agricultural economics. Issues include not only topics related to current agricultural, rural and environmental policy, but may also deal with topics in extension education, teaching (both undergraduate and graduate) and research methodology. These articles will likely be written by individuals who present contrasting, and perhaps widely diverging perspectives on the same topic.

2. The organizer of the Features' section is responsible for selecting the authors who will write the papers comprising the Theme. The organizer may be an author of one of the papers, but this is not required.

3. Those interested in organizing a Features' section should read the Home Page for this Journal. In particular, note that the intended readership of this Journal is broader than for other scholarly journals in agricultural economics. Authors should realize that manuscripts which contain mathematical models and empirical results of quantitative modeling efforts (i.e econometric parameter estimates) will not normally be accepted for inclusion in this Journal. Make authors aware that part of the review process attempts to identify articles on topics that will be widely read and cited, not articles that are of interest to only a small subset of readers. Be sure to make authors aware of the page charge requirement.

4. The organizer is asked to develop a Features' Proposal. A Features' Proposal consists of the following:

Format and Content of the Proposal:

1. Introduction. This is a 300-500 word statement written by the organizer on why the issue merits a Features' section in this Journal. Why do you believe this topic is important? Why do you believe that the topic will be of interest to the broad spectrum of readers? Why do you believe that the authors selected are the best possible choices for presenting the specific issues? Are all major competing or contrasting perspectives represented in the various papers?

2. Paper Descriptions. These consist of detailed descriptions of the objectives and contents of each paper to be included in the Theme, each 1,000-1,500 words long. These paper descriptions should be written by the authors who will be developing each paper. Organizers are encouraged to provide authors with assistance in developing their specific paper descriptions consistent with the overall objectives of this Journal. The paper descriptions will also be used to enable the editors and reviewers to evaluate the quality of the writing of the various authors that have been chosen by the organizer.

3. Time Requirements. By consulting with authors, organizers should provide a realistic estimate of the time required to complete the proposed papers if the proposal is accepted. Proposals for Features are evaluated on a continuing basis.

How your proposal will be handled...

The editors will evaluate the proposal to make certain that the content and approach taken in each paper is appropriate given the overall objectives and readership of this Journal. If the editors do not believe that the proposal as submitted is broadly consistent with this Journal's objectives, the proposal will be returned to the organizer with suggested changes. If the editors believe that the proposal is broadly consistent with the Journal's objectives, then it will be submitted for review by one or more members of the Journal's editorial council or others who might be particularly knowledgable and helpful in evaluating the proposal. The goal of this process is to provide authors and organizers with constructive criticism in improving the quality of the proposed papers.

In a few instances, a proposal may be accepted by the editors without further modifications. However, the organizer will likely need to consider modifications as suggested by the editors and reviewers before the proposal can be accepted. These modifications can be major or minor. The editors may, at their option, return modified proposals to reviewers for further evaluation.

Assuming that the proposal, as modified, is accepted by the editors, the writers involved may prepare the complete papers. This Journal places great emphasis on high-quality scholarly writing. The organizer is encouraged to work with authors by editing papers in an effort to improve the quality of the writing. Organizers and writers are encouraged to seek assistance from colleagues and professional editors to improve the quality of the manuscripts. Each individual author working on each paper might also be given the opportunity by the organizer to edit and evaluate the clarity of the presentation of the other author(s) writing.

Once the papers are completed, three copies of all of the papers comprising the Features' section should be mailed to the editors. The editors will review the papers to ensure that they are consistent with what was proposed, and, if necessary, may solicit the advice of others, including the editorial council members or others who were responsible for evaluating the initial proposal. Upon granting final acceptance, an acceptance letter will be sent to the organizers.

Be aware of the following...

Accepted Features will be edited by a professional editor to improve the clarity of the writing. Marked-up copy will be returned to the organizer. The organizer will be asked to return a corrected hard copy and a copy of each manuscript on disk. As a final check, a galley proof will be supplied to the Features' organizer. Authors or their host institutions are required to pay a $65 charge per page of published text. Individual authors will be billed by the SAEA.

Three copies of Features' Proposals should be mailed to:

Angelos Pagoulatos and David L. Debertin, editors
Review of of Agricultural Economics
Department of Agricultural Economics
400 Ag. Eng. Bldg
Lexington, KY 40546-0276
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Last Revised 6-27-96