Journals in Chemistry

What is a Journal?

The scientific journal article is still an important medium for the publication of research results in chemistry. Journals may contain different types of material:

Full Papers.
These have a well-defined format - an introduction which often provides background information and a statement of the purpose of the work, a description of the methods used and the results or findings, and conclusions with a discussion of their significance and value. An abstract is usually provided. References are given in the recognized style of the journal.
Short Papers or Brief Reports.
These are used for the presentation of limited findings. They are usually not longer than four or five pages.
Communications or Rapid Communications.
This is the form for the publication of preliminary results or findings. In the intensely competitive world of modern science, an author, or authors, may want to establish priority for their work. They publish brief communications which concentrate on the findings and the conclusions drawn. These short communications may well be followed by a later full paper.
Reviews
Are collections of information from a variety of sources. This information has been critically evaluated by a subject specialist.

What is Refereed Journals?

It is important to distinguish between "refereed" journals and "non-refereed" journals. In the former case, articles submitted for publication are read and evaluated by fellow scientists working in the same field. Usually two or more independent assessors read the article for validity, quality and originality etc. This refereeing practice provides an indication of quality, at the expense of delay in time of publication.

The average time between submission and actual publication is between 3 and 10 months in chemistry . Journals published by learned and professional associations, as well as those published by a number of "academic commercial publishers" are nearly always refereed. If in doubt, read the instructions to authors (often given on the last page). These usually provide information on refereeing practice.

KTU Library List of Journals in Chemistry:

There are a number of trials providing access to scientific journals in electronic form. Examples are:

CLIC Consortium Electronic Journal Project
Project Muse
CORE Project

Access to Chemical journals through a convenient single web location is provided by ChemPort - search Chemical Abstracts to find references of interest and get the full article from the web sites of major scientific publishers.

Lists of electronic journals in chemistry recommended for the course participants

Publishers of Chemistry Journals recommended for the course participants

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