Instructions to Contributors to the Health Physics Journal

Health Physics welcomes original, unpublished manuscripts (English language only) in the theoretical or applied fields of radiation safety, including ionizing and nonionizing radiation. Topics not dealing with some aspect of radiation safety are unsuitable for publication in Health Physics.

Address Health Physics manuscripts to:

Michael T. Ryan, Editor
Health Physics Office
Charleston Southern University
9200 University Boulevard
PO Box 118087
Charleston, SC 29423-8087
(843) 863-7556 (phone)
(843) 863-7628 (fax)

Address Operational Radiation Safety submissions to:

Kenneth L. Miller, Editor
Operation Radiation Safety
M.S. Hershey Medical Center, Room C3527
H141 500 University Dr.
Hershey, PA 17033-2390
(717) 531-4398 (phone)
(717) 531-3641 (fax)

Manuscript Preparation

Click here for a PDF file of detailed instructions for authors preparing submissions to the HPS Journal.

Submit one original and two copies of text, tables, and figures. One set of original, camera-ready figures or black and white photographs must be submitted for reproduction; tables are typeset.
Detach or photocopy the submission form on the back of these Instructions and send with the submission. Be sure it is complete and signed by all authors of the manuscript.
Manuscripts must be double-spaced and typewritten (no dot matrix) on one side of 8.5 x 11 inch paper with pages numbered consecutively. All margins should be at least 1 inch wide.
The title, name, complete address of author(s), and one-paragraph abstract should appear on the first page.
See the January or July issue for full instructions on style requirements and preparation of revised manuscripts.

Typesetting from Diskette

To expedite publication, Health Physics is now accepting revised manuscripts on diskette. When submitting a revised manuscript, authors are encouraged to send an electronic version of the paper along with the required two hard-copy printouts.
Please include all parts of the manuscript in one file. However, tables and mathematical material, such as equations, need not be included in the file as these items must be typeset in the traditional manner.
Please label the diskette with Health Physics, the first author's name, the name of the computer used, the name and version of the operating system, the name and version of the word processing program, and the name of the computer file used to access the manuscript. Note: It is imperative that the authors ensure that the disk file is the most recent version of the manuscript and that it matches the most recently submitted hard copy.

Tables

Each table must be provided on a separate sheet of paper following the reference section, with captions appearing above each. Never embed tables in text.
One original and two copies of all tables must be included with all submissions.
See the January or July issue for table-formatting requirements.

Figures

One clear, high-quality, camera-ready version of each figure and two photocopies must be provided with each submission. Dot matrix and carbon copies will not be accepted.
A double-spaced list of figure captions must be provided on a separate page. Label figures on the back in pencil with arabic numerals, proper direction (e.g., top), and the first author's last name.
Each figure must be provided on a separate sheet of paper following the reference section.
See the January or July issue for figure preparation requirements.

References

Use the Council of Biology Editors reference style. Examples of proper references appear in the instructions in the January and July issues.
Use the "Name-and-Year" system for citing manuscripts in the text (e.g., Smith 1988; Todd and Warren 1990; Brown et al. 1991).
Acceptable publications for the reference list include journal articles, books, technical reports, cataloged theses and dissertations, proceedings, letters to the editor, patents, maps, recordings, etc. Articles accepted for publication, but not yet published, may be included in the reference list as "in press."
Footnote unpublished materials, which include personal letters and internal memoranda, private tape recordings, user's manuals, data to be published, etc.

Footnotes

Submit all footnotes together on a separate page at the end of the article.

Letters

Letters must be submitted in accordance with the rules for manuscript preparation. Do not submit the text of the letter on letterhead stationery.
A title must be supplied by the author and placed before the salutation "Dear Editors."
Name and address of author(s) must appear at the end of the letter. Anonymous letters will not be published.
Authors should try to confine comments to three or fewer double-spaced, typewritten pages.

Software and Book Reviews

All reviews must be double-spaced and typewritten on plain paper. Do not use letterhead stationery.
Submit one original and two copies to the software editor or book editor. Do not submit reviews directly to the Editorial Office.
Software reviews must contain a heading with the following information: software name; manufacturer's full name, address, and telephone number; list price; demonstration price; requirements (e.g., 640k memory, graphics display, etc.); summary.
Any person interested in reviewing software should contact George J. Vargo, Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories, Battelle Blvd., PO Box 999, Richland, WA 99352; phone: (509) 375-6836; fax: (509) 375-2019.
Book reviews must contain a heading with the following information: book title, author or editor, publisher's name and full address, year of publication, number of pages, price, ISBN number.
Any person interested in reviewing books should contact Stephen V. Musolino, Book Editor, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Building 701, PO Box 5000, Upton, NY; phone: (631) 344-4211; fax: (631) 344-7630; email: musolino@bnl.gov.

News and Notices

News items and meeting notices should be sent at least three months in advance of the issue date to: R.V. Griffith, News Editor, 756 Cypress Run, Woodbridge, CA 95358; phone and fax: (209) 334-4301.

Publication Charges, Author Responsibility, Acknowledgment

The author or author's institution is requested to pay $70 per published page, entitling the author to 50 free reprints. Billing will follow publication.
Authors are responsible for the entire content of their manuscript, including text, tables, figures, and references.
Authors must obtain written permission by the author or publisher to reproduce previously published tables and figures, with the source of material noted on the manuscript itself.

Manuscript Checklist

Authors, did you:

Send an original and two copies of the manuscript, tables, and figures?
Supply one original, camera-ready set of figures (laser prints or glossies)?
Double-space all parts of text, using proper margins throughout?
Use SI units and CBE referencing style?
Complete and mail the submission form (on back)?
Send a copy of the permission letter to reprint a table or figure previously published?

Attention Authors: The editorial staff is always looking for good photographs that we could use on the cover of Health Physics. The photos do not have to be a part of your manuscript if they pertain to it. We encourage you to submit photos, along with manuscripts, that we can use on the cover to introduce your manuscript. Color or black and white can be used. If you have any questions about what might be an appropriate photo, contact the editorial office.