Information for Contributors

(a) Aims & Scope

DESIDOC Bulletin of Information Technology (DBIT), a bi-monthly publication of the Defence Scientific Information & Documentation Centre (DESIDOC) endeavours to bring recent developments in information technology as applicable to library and information science to the notice of librarians, documentalists and information professionals. It covers research papers, review articles, and information on current IT events, products and literature.

(b) Typescripts Accepted

The bulletin publishes research and review papers. In addition, it includes invited papers sought for its special issues.

Research papers (Max length: 3000 words or 10 typed pages of A4 size including figures) are expected to contain original research findings in a clear and concise manner.

Review articles (Max length: 5000 words or 20 typed pages of A4 size including figures) are expected to survey, integrate and critically examine new information accumulated in recent years in a particular subject field.

(c) Refereeing Process

All papers received for publication in the bulletin are subjected to refereeing by eminent peers who are active in the relevant fields of research.

(d) Submission of Typescripts

Authors should submit the typescripts in triplicate (one original and two copies), neatly typed in double space on one side of the A4 size (210 mm x 297 mm) paper, with a margin not less than 40 mm on the left side. Each copy should include: (i) title page with a running (short) title, (ii) abstract, (iii) nomenclature of symbols used, (iv) tables/figures/illustrations typed/drawn on separate sheets along with their captions in serial order as they appear in text, and (v) a separate list of figure captions. The reporting in the paper should be generally in third person.

The Editorial Board encourages authors to submit papers in electronic form (i.e., on floppy diskette) in word compatible files.

(e) Title Page

The title page should include: title of the article, name(s) of author(s) and affiliation(s), and the contact person to whom communications should be sent (in the case of a multiauthored paper). It should also include a short title not more than 50 characters to be used as a running title. The titles should be brief, clear and should provide a broad indication of the content of the paper.

(f) Abstract

An abstract of about 200 words for research papers and for about 150 words for review articles should be provided along with the paper.

(g) References & Footnotes

References to already published literature should be numbered consecutively in order of their citation in the text and should be placed at the end of the text. In the text, they should be indicated by superscripts (number placed above the line). References to personal communication and unpublished literature should not be placed under references, but should be cited in the text in parentheses. Explanatory material may be given as an appendix rather than as a footnote. Examples of citations to different types, of documents are given below:

(i) Journal Article

• Moyo, Lesley M. Reference anytime anywhere: towards virtual reference services at Penn State. The Electronic Library, 2002, 20(1), 22-28.

• Gadd, Elizabeth. Managing copyright clearance services in higher education libraries. J. Inf Sci, 2001, 27(5), 291-302.

Standard abbreviations as per the international standards should be used for the titles of periodicals. However, single and double word journal titles should be given in full.

(ii) Book/Monograph

- Lancaster, F.W. & Warner, Amy. Intelligent technologies in library and information service applications. Information Today, Inc., Medford, NJ.2001.

(iii) Chapter from a Book

Gupta, Dinesh K. A focus on customers: Imperative fsr managing quality in library and information services. In Delivering service quality: Managerial challenges for the 21st century, edited by M. Raghavachari & K.V. Ramani. Macmillan, New Delhi, 2000, 401-06.

(iv) Conference Paper

Lad, AT. Academic libraries and access to Internet and Intranets. In CALIBER-99: Academic Libraries in Internet Era, edited by P.S.G. Kumar & C.P. Vashisht. Paper presented at the Sixth National Convention for Libraries in Education and research, 18-20 February 1999, Nagpur. Information and Library Network Centre, (INFLIBNET), Ahmedabad, 1999. pp. 78-84.

(v) Report

Birkler, John; Smith, Giles; Kent, Gleen A. & Johnson, report V. An acquisition strategy, process, and organization for innovative systems. National Defence research Institute, RAND, USA, 2000. RAND-MR-1098-OSD.

Lindsay, R.S. Tests of level B suits—protection against chemical and biological warfare agents and simulants: Executive summary. Edgewood Chemical Biological Centre, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. July 1999. 14 p. AD-A368228; ECBC-TR-047.

(vi) Patent

Fintel, Robert P.; Julian, C; Karlsen, Dag & Osnes, Laila Rabe. Methods for displaying an IT (Information Technology) architecture visual model in a symbol-based decision rational table. USA Patent 5, 903, 478. 11 May 1999. 47p.

(vii) Standard

Bureau of Indian Standards. Information technology—software product evaluation— quality characteristics and guidelines for their use. BIS, New Delhi, 1998. 13 p. IS: 14638—1998.

Bureau of Indian Standards. Quality management and quality assurance standards, Part 3: Guidelines for the application of ISO 9001: 1994 to the development, supply, installation and maintenance of computer software (first revision). BIS, New Delhi, 1997. 32 p. IS/ISO:9000-3 (Part 3)—1997.

(viii) Thesis/Dissertation

Khandare, Pravin M. Characterization of mesophase pitch materials from petroleum and coal-derived precursors: Kinetics and rheology at elevated temperatures. The College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, West Virginia University, November 1995. PhD Thesis. 235 p.

Apart from the above guidelines, the form in which the cited document is published, for example, mimeograph, microfiche, microfilm or other microform; CD-ROM or other electronic medium; and the language of publication other than English shall be indicated by adding the respective element in parentheses at the end of the reference.

 (h) Tables

Tables should supplement and should not duplicate the information contained in the text. Each table should be typed on a separate sheet. All the tables should be numbered consecutively in Indo-Arabic numerals (1,2,3, etc). They should be provided with brief titles. Column headings should be brief and the units of measurement should be placed below the headings in parentheses.

(i) Illustrations

Illustrations should be numbered in order of their occurrence in the text with Indo-Arabic numerals and with short descriptive captions. Line drawings should be neatly drawn on tracing sheets, preferably with Indian ink and should not exceed 20 cm x 25 cm in size. Lettering should be in capital only and large enough to be legible after a reduction of 50-60 per cent. One set of original drawings on tracing paper and three photocopies of each drawing should be sent with the typescript for review purpose. Illustrations taken from other publications must be acknowledged. It is the author's responsibility to obtain permission for reprinting such illustrations in DESIDOC Bulletin of Information Technology. Figures/photographs should be of high contrast and on glossy paper. Two copies of each figure should be sent, taking proper care in packing so that they are not spoiled in transit. On the back side of the illustrations/figures/tables, their number, short title and the first author's name should be written with pencil.

(j) Abbreviations

Non-standard abbreviations should be shown in brackets where they are first mentioned, and these abbreviations should be used whenever the same terms appear again in the text. These abbreviations should, however, be kept to a minimum and should not be used in the title and the abstract. Usage of metric units is preferred.

(k) Nomenclature

The nomenclature of mathematical symbols and signs used in the text should be given immediately after the abstract. Authors can follow any of the standard units and symbols developed by international agencies in their fields for this purpose. (I) Proofs and Reprints

The author will be supplied five copies of the particular issues, free of charge. Extra copies can be ordered on payment.