A. Objectives
Journal of Visualized Experiments (JoVE) serves the research community as a scientific methods journal for efficient dissemination, reproduction and discussion of experimental approaches in biological sciences. The main objective is to provide a guide to rapidly developing research techniques to increase transparency and productivity in biological and biomedical sciences. For this purpose, online video is used as a new effective publication format as it ensures more efficient transfer of information than traditional text articles.
The journal offers two distinct types of publication:
- Video-articles - visualized demonstrations of experimental procedures performed in research laboratories.
- Video-reviews - overview of scientific developments by highly distinguished scientists (by invitation only)
Journal content is available online only - there is no print version.
B. Criteria for publication
JoVE publishes methodology articles from all areas of Life Sciences including Neuroscience, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Microbiology, Plant Biology, Bioengineering, Psychology, Medicine and others.
Being a methods journal, JoVE accepts articles based on scientific validity and degree of usefulness to the scientific community or, in other words, the ability to effectively provide information on how to perform a particular research procedure. Other criteria include coherence and clarity of presentation, compliance with research standards, technical quality, as well as general impact. These qualities are assessed by JoVE editors and referees by way of peer review. We, at JoVE, are most interested in publishing content dissemination that stands to benefit most from being published in a video format. This includes, but is not limited to, manipulation and analysis of cells in vitro and in vivo, cell and organ transplantation procedures, behavioral assays, engineering of experimental systems and tools, imaging, surgical and diagnostic procedures.
Video-reviews feature leading researchers in various fields offering a more global view of their respective areas of research. Video-reviews are published on an invitation-only basis.
C. Structure of Video-Article
A Video-Article includes two complementary parts: video and text.
The video part typically consists of the following:
- Introduction includes a short overview of the experimental techniques presented.
- Technical Procedure includes a step-by-step demonstration of the experiment, including a demonstration of equipment and reagents used.
- Representative Results includes examples and explanations of results that can be obtain using the method described.
- Discussion by Authors includes an overview of possible applications, difficulties and modifications.
The text part of a Video-Article is complementary to the video part and its format is similar to a traditional methodology article including Abstract, Protocol, Discussion, Acknowledgements, Materials and References. The text part may also include data that is not shown in video and is more appropriate to be presented in a text format: tables, formulas, quantitative data and routine procedures. The Acknowledgements should include a statement on the source of funding used to conduct the research and to create the Video-Article.
For purposes of search, annotation and discussion, the Video-Article webpage is supplemented with keywords and a discussion forum where viewers can place questions to authors and other readers. JoVE actively works with the scientific community to establish standards for the video-publication format, its annotation and distribution.
D. Peer Review and Publication Processes
While using a technologically advanced video-based format and maintaining a rigorous review process, JoVE offers a very fast publication turnaround. During the submission process, authors are requested to name potential reviewers, who are experts in their field of research. All submitted video-articles are subject to immediate screening by JoVE editors to ensure that they fall within the scope and objectives of the journal, and their general adherence to the scientific standards. Submitted video-articles are further sent to peer review typically including three academic scientists, whose identity is not known to the authors. Therefore, the peer review process is fully anonymous. The reviewers are asked to provide their comments about the video and text parts of the article within three weeks. Once a sufficient number of reviews are obtained, the JoVE editor assigned to the submission makes an evaluation by considering the critiques and recommendations from the peer reviewers and taking into account other aspects, such as usefulness to the scientific community. Editors consult with one another as needed and make a decision: publish, reject or request a re-submission.
Because of the technical difficulties associated with production of high quality videos, JoVE can provide technical help with filming and editing of experimental procedures to authors willing to submit a video-article on their work. If authors choose to use this option, they are requested to submit the text part of their article, which then goes through the peer review process and, if approved, is used to guide production of the video part.
Video-Articles reporting experiments on animals require authors’ confirmation that experiments were performed strictly following all applicable guidelines and regulations. Authors must attach a statement at the end of the submitted article: “Experiments on animals were performed in accordance with the guidelines and regulations set forth by „Name of Institution/Committee”. We recommend that the authors consult with animal research specialists at their institution to ensure adherence to best practices in animal studies. Prior to publication, Video-Articles including animal research are sent for an anonymous review by veterinarians at academic institutions.
Contributors who have questions about the suitability of their work for publication in JoVE are welcome to send presubmission enquiries. JoVE editors will provide an immediate response to all inquiries and aim to provide a decision on publication within four weeks of a submission.
E. Statement of Conflict of Interests
JoVE recognizes a possibility of financial, professional and other conflicts confronting authors, reviewers, and editors. Therefore JoVE requires authors, members, referees, and editors to disclose any association that poses a potential conflict of interests in connection with their role in the publication process. Disclosing a potential conflict provides the reader with the information necessary to independently assess the work, but usually does not invalidate the author’s submission and work done by reviewers.
A conflict of interest includes a financial association or relationship that could influence the objectivity or interpretation of a publication. Such conflicts include relationships with corporations, whose products or services are related to the subject matter of the article. These relations include employment, substantive ownership of stock, and service on the director or advisory board. Other areas of conflict of interest could include receiving consulting fees, patent filings, providing services in exchange for fee and receiving funds for research and publication.
During submission of their manuscripts, authors are required to disclose any conflict of interest in the online declaration form. The corresponding author must ensure that all authors have been asked to disclose any and all conflicts of interest. When a conflict of interest is disclosed, either by an author or an editor, it is included in the published article.
Conflict of interest statement examples:
Example 1: “The author John M. is an employee of the Great Research Tool Corporation that produces reagents and instrument used in this Article”
Example 2: “The authors receive funding that was provided by Great Research Tool Corporation, which produces reagents and instrument used in this Article”
Referees and editors should exclude themselves from handling a submission if a conflict of interest affects their ability to make an impartial scientific judgment. This includes conflicts such as financial interests, personal friendships and family relationships.
JoVE reserves the right to publish an erratum disclosing a conflict of interest related to a previously published paper. Authors, referees, or editors who have deliberately or recklessly failed to disclose conflicts of interest may be banned from publishing in JoVE for a period of time. This policy applies to all material published in JoVE.