Submit
Submission
Here you will find all the information required to prepare your Scientific Video Protocol in chronological order and without any annoying redirections to other pages and subpages.
Contact us for a Potential Submission
We are always open to unsolicited contributions that align with our publication’s focus on quality over quantity. Please note, our current capacity allows us to handle a maximum of four manuscripts per month.
Authors are required to secure sufficient funding for the filming process. The total cost will depend on the complexity and duration of the filming and editing process. A precise quotation can only be given after we have an agreed script, which the corresponding author will need to submit along with the manuscript.
We recommend prospective authors to get in touch with our editorial office before composing a full manuscript. This initial communication should outline the protocol the author intends to cover, what they’d like us to film in their laboratories, and include a proposed title for the potential submission, author list, and affiliations. Information about the filming process, such as the time required to set up the experimental procedures for filming and the location of the laboratories, is also necessary. Furthermore, if animated infographics are needed in the results section, please specify this in your initial enquiry.
Submit
We understand that online manuscript submission forms are extremely tedious. Therefore, we have decided to offer authors a simplified workflow exclusively based on Dropbox.
The author will receive an email from our editorial office including a link to shared Dropbox folder. The Dropbox folder, called submission will contain the following subfolders:
- guidelines (containing our Download the Template, the Endnote style, and the agreement forms)
- manuscript (upload here your manuscript prepared with the template)
- figures (upload here your figures)
- supporting files (e.g. Adobe Illustrator files or raw data)
We do not charge any submission fees.
Communication with the Editor
Communications between the corresponding author and the editorial board will take place via email and via the Dropbox folder.
Manuscript Preparation
Key points to remember when preparing the manuscript:
- Begin with your Word processor, keeping the formatting as minimal and consistent throughout the document as possible. Any Word processor should suffice, provided the text is well-structured.
- Include a line in the “Normal” style (equivalent to <p> in HTML), listing all authors, affiliations, and email addresses.
- The main content of your manuscript should be in the “Normal” style (p in HTML).
- The manuscript title should be formatted as “Heading 1” style (h1 in HTML).
- Section titles should be in the “Heading 2” style (h2 in HTML).
- Subheadings should be formatted as “Heading 3” style (h3 in HTML).
- You can use font styles such as bold, italic, subscript, superscript, etc.
- Where possible, equations should be converted to plain text.
- References should be inserted using Endnote. Ensure that you include the DOI field for each reference. If you’re using Microsoft Word, do not convert the reference field to plain text.
- Add [figure1], [figure2], etc. placeholders in the text to signify the desired placement of figures. Do not embed images within the manuscript.
- Following the conclusion of the manuscript (usually, the last section is “Conclusion”), include the “References” section, using the “Heading 2” style.
- Next, add an “Acknowledgments” section using the “Heading 2” style.
- Follow this with an “Author Information” section, also using the “Heading 2” style.
- Then, add a “Contributions” subsection, using the “Heading 3” style.
- Add a “Competing Interests” subsection in the “Heading 3” style. If there are no conflicts, state “The authors declare no competing interests”.
- Afterward, create a “Captions” section using the “Heading 2” style.
- Within the “Captions” section, add “Figure 1 | Your figure caption” in the “Normal” style.
- If there is more than one figure, add another line saying “Figure 2 | Your figure caption”, also in the “Normal” style, and so on.
- Then, add an “End” placeholder using the “Heading 2” style.
- Finally, append the filming script.
Filming Script
The manuscript must also include a comprehensive filming script. A filming script is a vital component in the production of our peer-reviewed video articles, serving as a detailed guide that outlines every audio, visual, and transitional element that needs to be included in the final video.
At Scientific Video Protocols, when we speak of a filming script, we are referring to a tailored document that translates your scientific procedure into a visually engaging and comprehensible narrative. This could involve capturing key steps of your experiment, interviews with principal investigators, or footage that demonstrates the specific steps and techniques used in the lab.
The objective of the filming script is to bring to life the methodology detailed in your manuscript, emphasizing the practical aspects of your research that could be beneficial to your fellow scientists. Therefore, it needs to contain specific instructions on what to film, how to film it, and in what sequence, in addition to the dialogue or narration that accompanies the footage, or the key points that will be mentioned in the dialogue.
In essence, the filming script is the backbone of your video article, dictating its structure and flow. But worry not, our editorial office will support you in drafting the script, ensuring that the end result is an engaging and educational visual representation of your research.
Quality Check
To initiate the quality check process, it’s essential that you notify the editorial office once you’ve completed your submission. If any of the files submitted do not adhere to our guidelines, you will be courteously requested to make the necessary revisions and resubmit. This ensures that all submissions meet our standards for quality and consistency.
Submission Completed
Upon completion of the quality check, the submitted files will be marked as submitted and you will not be able to modify them. You will be still able to read these files and communicate with the editorial office.
Peer-Review
Every manuscript we receive is allocated to an editor from our Editorial Board, who is a specialist in the relevant field. If the subject matter extends beyond our areas of expertise, we may assign the manuscript to a Guest Editor. This assigned Editor oversees the peer review process and holds the final say on the manuscript’s acceptance, revision, or rejection.
The peer-review process is designed to accommodate the specific type of content that you submit. Subject to compliance with our guidelines, we handle three potential scenarios:
- Authors submit work that has already been peer-reviewed and published.
- Authors submit work that is partially novel.
- Authors submit entirely novel work.
Our reviewers have the responsibility of determining whether a paper is scientifically valid. They are encouraged to offer constructive feedback. We do not accept negative criticism that arises from conflicts of interest, such as competition within the same field.
After the two reviews are submitted, the editor makes a final decision, which is then shared with the author.
Manuscript Revision
The author will regain access to the submission folder, enabling them to make necessary revisions in line with the reviewers’ suggestions. The revised manuscript will be either evaluated by the editor directly or returned to the reviewers for additional scrutiny.
In the event of the manuscript being rejected, the filming process will be discontinued.
Quotation and Agreement
Upon evaluating the script derived from your accepted manuscript, we will send you a quotation for the video production. You will subsequently receive two agreements.
The first is the Open Access Agreement, where you agree to license the manuscript under CC-BY-4.0. The second is the Video Production Agreement, containing the Master Service Agreement and the Work Orders.
These documents will need to be signed electronically. Instructions for the signing process will be included in the email you receive.
Payment
After receipt of the payment for the Open Access Article Processing Charges, as detailed in the Video Production Agreement, we will get in touch with you to schedule the filming.
Video Production
We request that the corresponding author coordinates with the appropriate department to secure the necessary authorizations for filming at their location.
After the completion of filming, we proceed with editing and color grading the video. A watermarked version of the video is sent to you for approval. Please note that arbitrary changes are not typically included in the Video Production Agreement. If additional changes are required, a revised Work Order will be provided.
Can authors film interviews and protocols themselves?
Typically, filming interviews and protocols poses numerous technical challenges. In order to maintain the highest quality for our clients, we rely on specific recording formats and equipment. However, we will evaluate on a case-by-case basis whether we can incorporate footage shot by the authors, particularly in situations where we may not be able to access the filming location or other specific circumstances.
How long does the video production (filming) take?
The timeline for filming will be communicated to the authors based on the approved script. Under typical circumstances, we allocate one day for interview filming and another day for filming the protocol in your lab. However, the duration may vary based on the complexity of the protocol, possibly being completed in a single day or extending over a week or more.
How long does the video post-production (editing) take?
The post-production timeline is influenced by a variety of factors, including the length and complexity of the videos, as well as the volume and complexity of the illustrations, as specified in the accepted script. For example, the overall editing for the article, [Back-contact Perovskite Solar Cells], spanned between 3 to 4 weeks. Generally, the estimated lead time from shooting to publication is around 2 months.
Publication
The final video will be uploaded on Youtube. The manuscript will be published in our platform along with the embedded Youtube video. The author will receive a copy of the video. Note that only the manuscript is under CC-BY-4.0 license.
Legal Disclaimer
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal, commercial, or professional advice. The details provided here should not be considered as representations, warranties, covenants, or conditions of any kind. They do not form part of our terms and conditions, nor do they form part of any contractual obligation.
Any contract signed by authors, including but not limited to the Open Access Agreement and Video Production Agreement, will supersede any text or statements made on this website. We expressly disclaim all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all the contents of this site.
Before entering into any contract with us, please ensure that you have read and fully understand the terms and conditions of that contract.