The papers are studied by members of the Editorial Board and our international panel of expert referees, then either accepted for publication or rejected by the Editor. We receive over 1100 submissions each year and accept about 200 for publication, many after revisions recommended by the reviewers, editors or statistical advisers. All submissions are acknowledged. A decision takes from two weeks to three months, the longer period being due to the multiple reviews needed for papers likely to be accepted.
Publication is from five to seven months after final acceptance.
Proofs of the edited paper and illustrations are sent to the corresponding author for correction and reply to any queries from the Editor. Fifty laser prints will be sent free to the corresponding author within a few days of publication. Additional laser prints, offprints or reprints can be ordered. Each copy should have TWO cover pages, one with complete details of the title, the source, the authors and an address, telephone and fax number for the corresponding author. The text and figures should exclude all reference to the source of the work and the authors - this may be restored during editing and before publication.