1. Objectives
The 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, medical, chemical and physical research. Online video is used as a new and effective publication format as it ensures more efficient transfer of information than traditional text articles. JoVE publishes both novel methods, innovative applications of existing techniques and gold standard protocols. Detailed text and representative results accompany every video description of the experimental technique.
2. Aims and Scope
JoVE accepts protocol articles from all areas of science, focusing on the life sciences, including Neuroscience, Immunology, Infectious Disease Research, Clinical and Translational Medicine, Bioengineering, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Microbiology, Plant Biology, Psychology, and others.
JoVE has several subsections covering areas of particular scientific interest.
2.1 JoVE: Neuroscience
JoVE: Neuroscience includes techniques from a wide variety of fields, focusing on those intended to lend insight into the structure, function, physiology and pathophysiology of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Areas of techniques covered include, but are not limited to:
- Systems neurobiology
- Electrophysiology
- Development and neural plasticity
- Cellular and molecular neurobiology
- Animal behavioral testing
- Human and animal brain imaging
- Psychophysics
- Neurobiology of disease
2.2 JoVE: Immunology and Infection
JoVE: Immunology and Infection (JoVE I2) includes video articles demonstrating seminal and novel techniques in the fields of immunology and infectious diseases. The scope of the section includes but is not limited to protocols that address the following topics:
- Basic biology of pathogenic bacteria, fungi, parasites, viruses, and infectious prions
- Biology and roles of vectors in microbe life cycles
- in vitro and in vivo modeling of pathogenesis
- Immune response to infection and tumors
- Immune cell development
- Autoimmune responses and diseases
- Allergic diseases
2.3 JoVE: Clinical and Translational Medicine
JoVE: Medicine is a primary reference and educational resource for scientists and physicians. Articles typically document medical procedures, case reports, clinical trials and translational medicine with direct bedside application. Areas of techniques covered include:
- Animal models of diseases
- Surgical subspecialties
- Internal medicine
- Clinical trials
- Behavioral health
- Best medical practice
- Medical and nursing teaching resources
2.4 JoVE: Bioengineering
JoVE: Bioengineering focuses on techniques in which the principles of engineering, mathematics and physics are applied to problems associated with the life sciences. This rapidly growing area of research includes but is not limited to:
- Advanced Instrumentation
- Cell and Tissue Engineering
- Computational Biology
- Synthetic Biology
- Bio-MEMS and Microfluidic Devices
- Nanotechnology
- Biomimetics and Biomaterials
- Cybernetics
2.5 JoVE: Basic Protocols
JoVE: Basic Protocols is a channel compiled from the other JoVE sections that contains basic laboratory protocols. To access all of this content at no cost, simply create a free account.
3. Criteria for publication
As a protocols 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.
4. Review Process
4.1 JoVE Produced articles
JoVE has a strong editorial driven review process. We do this because we are a novel publication paradigm and have found it necessary to have strong editorial oversight. Only articles that fit within the aims and scope of JoVE and are deemed suitable for publication by our professional science editors will be sent out for peer-review.
Peer-review and JoVE internal review occur simultaneously. Authors are provided with suggestions from both peer-reviewers and a JoVE production editor. Peer-reviewers are instructed to focus on questions of rationale, limitations, and fair comparison to other existing techniques. The JoVE production editor may ask for changes that address clarity, particularly in the step-by-step portion of the submission.
4.2 Author produced articles
Author produced videos and accompanying text are assessed for adherence to our criteria for publication by our professional team of science editors. In these cases, the entire submission, including written and video components, is sent for peer-review.
4.3 Veterinary review
In the case of both JoVE and author produced videos that involve the use of laboratory animals, the completed article is reviewed by our specialist veterinary board to ensure compliance with animal welfare standards. Please note that authors are solely responsible for ensuring compliance with their local IACUC guidelines and obtaining permission to film, if required.
For further questions, please contact us at submissions@jove.com.
5. Statement of Conflict of Interest
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 relationships include employment, substantive ownership of stock, and service on the directors' or advisory boards. Other areas of conflict of interest could include receiving consultation fees, patent filings, providing services in exchange for a fee or 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.
Here are some examples of appropriate conflict of interest statements:
Example 1: The author John M. is an employee of the Great Research Tool Corporation that produces reagents and instruments used in this Article.
Example 2: The authors received funding that was provided by Great Research Tool Corporation, which produces reagents and instruments 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.
