Notes for contributors (print-friendly version)
The Mariner’s Mirror, the international journal of the Society for Nautical Research, is the world’s pre-eminent scholarly journal in the English language devoted to maritime and naval history, and as such has an expert readership. Those intending to contribute articles and notes for publication are asked to bear this in mind.
Original research
Prospective contributions must be original and not under consideration elsewhere. The Journal’s focus is on empirical research, and evidence of primary research is normally required for articles. Authors who submit articles which are wholly secondary sourced (ie from books of their own or by other authors) in support of their argument/thesis are requested to clearly state in their introduction what is new about the article, what they are attempting to achieve and how this will bring a new perspective to already extant knowledge. An article composed entirely of secondary-sourced material, which may be interesting but does not add anything to the extant knowledge base, is unlikely to be accepted. Authors should note that multiple submissions, ie., two, three, or more articles or Notes at the same time, are expressly forbidden, as are two-part articles or Notes for consecutive publication.
Abstracts
Authors of articles should also on a separate page write an abstract, in no more than 200 words, for possible publication on the Society’s website.
Refereeing
All prospective articles are double blind refereed by acknowledged experts in their respective fields. This form of refereeing has been instituted to protect the anonymity of both authors and referees, and any request by authors to see referees’ reports will be rejected. Notes are refereed by a single referee.
Author anonymity
Intending authors of articles are requested to put their name and affiliations (if any) on a separate piece of paper, and are further requested not to use phrases in the narrative, which will obviously identify them, (eg ‘In my recent book on sailing barques’). Authors should note that the Editor’s decision is final and that he reserves the right to alter any prospective article or note as he thinks fit.
What happens next
On receipt of referees’ reports the Editor will normally have a combination of recommendations before him, these are:
- the article is publishable as it stands
- the article is only publishable if certain amendments are made to it
- the article should not be published.
In the case of (1) above, the author will receive from our typesetter a proof copy and will be asked to proof read it before publication. Only minor amendments are permissible at this stage. The author then returns the article to our typesetter, who in turn sends the final proof copy to the Editor. Thereafter the Editor gives the final approval for publication. After publication authors are entitled to ten free offprints of their article.
In the case of (2) above, the article is returned to the author with a short account of the changes the referees and Editor require to enable publication. Authors must generally comply with these suggestions; if they are ignored then the Editor will not publish the article. The Editor requires all authors to include in their final submission the acknowledgement: ‘I am (or We are) grateful for the comments of anonymous referees’.
In the case of (3) above, authors will be informed by letter that their article has been rejected. No reason will be given.
The above applies both to prospective articles and notes.
Length of articles and notes
Authors are requested to keep within the word limits. For articles this is up to a maximum of 5 to 6000 words including references. For Notes, anything up to a maximum of 3 to 4,000 words is permissible. However, intending contributors of Notes are requested to be as brief as possible in their submission as overlong contributions will be rejected.
What we look for
In prospective articles, originality, context and significance, and depth of scholarship are all-important. Authors need to clearly state what they intend to achieve at the beginning of the article, how they will achieve it, and to outline its significance. This is not formulaic, the presentation of a particular topic (in accordance with the Style Sheet) is left to the author. However, a clearly presented piece, with a clearly defined introduction which maintains focus throughout and ends with a conclusion supported by the evidence presented, is more likely to pass the refereeing process.
Questions we ask our referees
- Does the typescript discuss a topic of value in a serious manner?
- Is it convincing?
- Is it clearly presented and is its purpose obvious?
- Is it factually correct as far as it goes and does it omit vital material?
- Are the sources adequate and the referencing helpful?
- Are there any points you may know of that might have a material bearing on the decision to publish
- Is it publishable as it stands, or should it be amended or wholly rejected?
Licence to Publish
All author's of Articles or Notes are requested to print off, sign and post to the Editor the Licence to publish only after
notification-either by post or by e-mail-of acceptance of said article or Note by the Editor has been given.
Where to send your contribution
All prospective articles and notes etc should be sent to the Hon Editor of the Mariner's Mirror, Research Administration, East Wing, National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London SE10 9NF United Kingdom. (See contacts).
The Hon Editor reserves the right to amend and add to these notes from time to time, as he thinks fit.
Amended 10 February 2008
Style guide