Hi Céline,
I usually look at the cover letter as a top level attempt to get the
editor's interest in reading your manuscript, and helping them justify
why they should give you the journal space over someone else. It's
almost a sales pitch as to why it fits with their journal and would be
appropriate to their readership, or why they would want to see it
published in their journal rather than a competing journal in the same
field. In no more than two paragraphs I'd very generally describe what
the study was about (i.e. the design and scope of the study, what the
rationale for doing it was); what the main result was (i.e. one positive
take home message); why that is relevant to their readers (i.e. if it's
a medical journal does it have an implication for clinical practice);
and what the main strength of the study is (i.e. large sample size,
unique methodology, first in the area).
I'd also include a thank you for their consideration. You could suggest
potential reviewers, if appropriate and not asked for elsewhere. And you
should check in the Instructions for Authors if there are any statements
you are required to make e.g. all authors have agreed the content, and
this manuscript is not being considered for publication elsewhere etc.
Hope that helps,
Brian
On 21/Nov/2011 14:33, [log in to unmask] wrote:
> Hello everyone,
>
> I have a quick and possibly slightly stupid question... I am in the course of submitting a manuscript to a journal online (which I've done before) and it asks me for a cover letter:
>
> 'Enter or paste your cover letter text into the "Cover Letter" box below. If you would like to attach a file containing your cover letter, click the "Browse..." button, locate your file, and click "Attach this Cover Letter." Answer any remaining questions appropriately. When you are finished, click "Save and Continue."'
>
> This is all the information that is provided and there's nothing else on the online submission website - does anyone know what such a cover letter should look like? What do I need to include in this? So far I've only heard of cover letters when re-submitting a paper, so I'm a bit clueless here. Oh, it's a US journal, not sure if that makes a difference.
>
> Any advice would be greatly appreciated. If anyone has a template for example, that would be perfect.
>
> Thanks a lot.
>
> Céline
>
> Céline Rojon
> PhD Researcher in Occupational Psychology
> Department of Psychology& School of Management
> University of Surrey
> Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH
> +44-(0)1483-686870
> [log in to unmask]
|