The general categories of articles are:
Feature Article (up to 4000 words) are those of general interest to
readers of ABT. Consider the following examples of content that falls
into the feature article category:
a. Research on teaching alternatives, including evaluation of a new
method, cooperative learning, concept maps, learning contracts,
investigative experiences, educational technology, simulations
and games and biology standards
b. Social and ethical implications of biology and how to teach such
issues, genetic engineering, energy, pollution, agriculture, popu-
lation, health care, nutrition, sexuality, and gender, and drugs
c. Reviews and updates of recent advances in the life sciences in
the form of an “Instant Update” that bring readers up-to-date in
a specific area
d. Imaginative views of the future of biology education and sugges-
tions for coping with changes in schools, classrooms and students
e. Other timely and relevant and interesting content like discus-
sions of the role of the Next Generation Science Standards in
biology teaching, considerations of the history of biology with
implications for the classroom, considerations of the continuum
of biology instruction from K-12 to post-secondary teaching
environments, contributions that consider the likely/ideal future
of science and biology instruction.
Research on Learning (up to 4000 words) includes reports of
original research on innovative teaching strategies, learning methods,
or curriculum comparisons. Studies should be based on sound research
questions, hypotheses, discussion of an appropriate design and procedures, data and analysis, discussion on study limitations, and recommendations for improved learning.
Inquiry and Investigations (up to 3000 words) is the section of
ABT that features discussion of innovative and engaging laboratory
and field-based strategies. Strategies in this section should be original,
focused at a particular grade/age level of student, with all necessary
instructions, materials list, worksheets and assessment tools, practical,
related to either a particular program such as AP and/or linked to standards like NGSS. The most appropriate contributions in this category are
laboratory experiences that engage students in inquiry.
Tips, Tricks and Techniques (up to 1500 words but may be much
shorter) replaces the How-To-Do-It and Quick Fix articles. This section
features a range of suggestions useful for teachers including laboratory,
field and classroom activities, motivational strategies to assist students
in learning specific concept, modifications of traditional activities, new
ways to prepare some aspect of laboratory instruction, etc.
Revised January 2016
All manuscripts must be submitted online at
http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/ucpress-abt
• Authors will be asked to register the first time they enter the site.
After receiving a password, authors can proceed to upload their
manuscripts through a step-by-step process. Assistance is always
available in the “Author Help” link found in the menu on the
left side of the page. Additional assistance is available from the
Managing Editor ( managingeditor@nabt.org).
• Manuscripts must be submitted as Word or WordPerfect files.
• Format manuscripts for 8.5 × 11-inch paper, 12-point font, double-spaced throughout, including tables, figure legends, and references.
• Please place figures (including photos) and tables where they are
first cited in the text along with appropriate labels. Make sure to
include figure and table citations in the text as it is not always
obvious where they should be placed. At the time of initial submission, figures, tables and images should be low resolution so that
the final file size remains manageable.
• If your article is accepted, we will require that figures be submitted as individual figure files in higher resolution form. See below
for file format and resolution requirements.
• NOTE: Authors should be aware that color is rarely used within the
journal so all artwork, figures, tables, etc. must be legible in black
and white. If color is important to understanding your figures,
please consider alternative ways of conveying the information.
• Authors are encouraged to submit multimedia files. Acceptable
file formats include MP3, AVI, MOV, WMV, and FLV.
• Communications will be directed to only the first author of multi-ple-authored articles.
• At least three individuals who have expertise in the respective content
area will review each article.
• Although the editors attempt to make decisions on articles as soon
as possible after receipt, this process can take six to eight months
with the actual date of publication to follow. Authors will be
emailed editorial decisions as soon as they are available.
• Accepted manuscripts will be forwarded to the Copy Editor for editing. This process may involve making changes in style and content.
However, the author is ultimately responsible for scientific and technical accuracy. Page proofs will be sent to authors for final review
before publication at which time, only minor changes can be made.
ABT AUTHORS & PHOTOGRAPHERS
Guidelines
We encourage our readers, biologists with teaching interests, and biology
educators in general, to write for The American Biology Teacher. This
peer-reviewed journal includes articles for teachers at every level with
a focus on high school and post-secondary biology instruction.
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