Author Guidelines: Writing for Park Science (table 1)			print close
Table 1. Article requirement for Park Science
Article Type	Description	Purpose or Possible Topics	Style and Design	Length	Illustrations
Features	Field-oriented, full-length articles and thematic sections about applied science, original research, and related stories.	Reports the implications of recent and ongoing natural and social science and related cultural research for park planning, management, and policy.	Nontechnical language. Easy to understand. Mix of magazine-like and conservative designs.
Case Study	Summary and analysis of completed field projects designed to remedy resource management problems. Attributed to author(s). Submit with brief list of key words, abstract, and one- or two-sentence article summary (i.e., descriptive blurb).	Targets innovative solutions. Draws upon examples to illustrate key concepts. Shares lessons learned (successes and failures). Example: completed restoration project.	First- or third-person. Section headers. Reference listings limited to 10, as practicable. Magazine- or journal-like design (depending on topic and treatment).	650–2,500 words	Photos and other illustrations (e.g., tables, maps, line drawings, graphs, and charts)
In Focus	A compilation of brief, related articles that explore a topic. Attributed to author(s). Submit with brief list of key words and one- or two-sentence article summary (i.e., descriptive blurb).	Topics of high interest to natural resource managers, such as new initiatives or programs, and progress and developments with established programs. May include an overview article and several illustrative "sidebars." Topical examples: marine resource protection, coastal watershed assessments, climate change, wildlife diseases, and integration of I&M data into management.	Third-person. Section header. Magazine-like design unifies articles as a section (e.g., common background color).	350–750 words each; 3–6 articles in total.	Photos and other illustrations
Research Report	Presentations of original research with implications for park management, planning, and policy. Attributed to author(s). Submit with brief list of key words, abstract, and one- or two-sentence article summary (i.e., descriptive blurb).	Documents and interprets significant findings from scientific studies conducted in the National Park System. Highlights translation of scientific findings into usable knowledge for park managers.	Traditionally organized into sections such as introduction, methods, results, discussion, and conclusions. Written for a general audience. Avoids jargon. First- or third-person. References limited to 10, as practicable. Simple, journal-like design.	1,250–2,500 words; extended content may be published in Web site edition.	Photos and other illustrations
Science Feature	General-interest articles about science and applied science in national parks. Attributed to author. Submit with brief list of key words and one- or two-sentence article summary (i.e., descriptive blurb).	New and ongoing park studies and resource management projects; successful applications of research findings; new technologies, research methodologies, and discoveries; national and local programs; science-based management decisions; partnerships, and other topics.	Popular science; often solicited or assigned. Anecdotes and compelling stories are vehicles for describing research applications to management. May quote from subject-matter expert(s). Section headers. First- or third-person. Magazine-like design.	650–1,250 words	Photos and other illustrations
State of Science	General-interest articles that describe the state of science in NPS resource management related to a particluar topic, issue, or program. Attributed to author(s). Submit with brief list of key words and one- or two-sentence article summary (i.e., descriptive blurb).	Draws upon and synthesizes multiple studies, long-term research, and resource management projects in and out of parks. Highlights the translation of scientific information into usable knowledge for park managers. Discusses future directions for scientific inquiry, including what new science brings to park management and what new park challenges bring to science.	Popular and accessible. Insights, distillations, commentary, and interpretations acceptable. First- or third-person. Section headers. Magazine-like design.	650–1,250 words	Photos and other illustrations
Article Type	Description	Purpose or Possible Topics	Style and Design	Length	Illustrations
Departments	Regularly occurring, short sections that fulfill particular content goals and purposes.		Generally magazine-like design.		Show project location, staff engaged in fieldwork, equipment, and focal subject matter.
20 Years Ago in Park Science	Selected, reprinted material from or reflections on a 20-year-old issue of Park Science. Not attributed.	Enlightens readers on past perspectives of NPS science and natural resource management.	Multiple brief excerpts; a longer, individual excerpt; or a brief, solicited article. Magazine-like design.	Excerpt: 25–100 words Article: 250–500 words	Past issue cover or photos
At Your Service	Newsworthy announcements and updates about NPS personnel, milestones, and events in natural resource management. May be attributed. Submit with brief list of key words.	Policy directives, executive orders, and legislation; funding opportunities and initiatives; recognition of newly hired, retired, or celebrated staff; and interesting NPS news or statistics.	Third-person. Magazine-like design.	25–250 words each	Photos
Comments and Corrections	Readers' comments and corrections to earlier issues. Attributed to writer(s).	Corrections, interpretations, and commentary related to scientific topics or facts presented in articles.	Edited for tone, length, and clarity. First-person. Conservative design.	25–350 words each	Corrected data, tables, graphs, or charts, as applicable
Field Moment	Photograph and caption highlighting a resource manager's or researcher's field experience conducting a scientific activity in a national park. Photo credit, but text not attributed.	May illustrate a larger NPS issue or professional perspective. Examples: witnessing rare or interesting wildlife behavior or natural events; personal epiphanies related to conservation work; perspectives on contributing to ecological preservation; appreciation of textbook or classic examples of physical or biological park features, resources, or processes.	Typically runs on back cover or inside back cover. Fun, personal, and evocative. Third-person, with quotations. Magazine-like design.	50–200 words	Single, intriguing photo
From the Editor	Editor's or guest editor's introduction and summary of the issue. Attributed to editor. Submit with brief list of key words.	Draws attention to interesting, compelling, or timely articles or management issues. May introduce theme of "In Focus" department.	Insights, distillations, commentary, and interpretations acceptable. First-person. Magazine-like design.	250–350 words	Photos
Information Crossfile	Synopses of selected publications relevant for natural resource management. Articles, summaries, and reviews may be attributed; abstracts and annotations not attributed. Submit with brief list of key words.	Sources include journal articles, books, Web sites, maps, electronic publications, and popular press publications. May highlight publications by NPS authors (see "NPS in Print").	Critical appraisals, interpretations, and commentary acceptable (though no personal anecdotes) for articles, summaries, and book reviews. Abstracts and annotations are descriptive. Third-person (first- or third-person for reviews). Conservative design.	Articles: 500–1,000 words Summaries: 250–500 words Reviews: 750–1,000 words Abstracts: up to 250 words Annotations: one or two sentences	Optional Optional Reproduction of book cover Optional Optional
Meetings of Interest	Calendar listing and brief reviews of conferences, symposia, meetings, and specialized training opportunities. Reviews attributed to author(s).	Synopsizes meeting purpose and planned content. Describes cost, how to register, and other information. Post-meeting reviews briefly recount the most important aspects of the gathering for resource managers.	Published in Web site edition only. Updated regularly. Third-person. Simple design.	Listings: 75–150 words each Reviews: 250–500 words each	N/A Photos
Notes from Abroad	International contributions to science-based conservation of protected areas. Attributed to author(s). Submit with brief list of key words and one- or two-sentence article summary (i.e., descriptive blurb).	International projects and programs with relevant conservation messages for science-based management of U.S. national parks.	First- or third-person. Magazine- or journal-like design (depending on topic and treatment).	750–1,500 words	Photos and other illustrations
NPS in Print	Subsection of "Information Crossfile." May be attributed. Submit with brief list of key words.	Draws attention to new and interesting books, reports, articles, and other publications by and about NPS resource managers and researchers. May highlight broadly applicable reports published in the Technical and Resource Management report series.	Third-person. Conservative design.	See "Information Crossfile"	Optional (e.g., report covers)
Park Operations	Articles about the use of science in interpretation, visitor and resource protection, facilities management, and administration in parks, with a focus on the improvement of resource management as a result. Attributed to author(s). Submit with brief list of key words and one- or two-sentence article summary (i.e., descriptive blurb).	Explores how science informs and clarifies park operational decisions and practices, and how park operations support and enhance science-based management of park resources. Examples: scientific evaluation of interpretive programs, and the application of mowing, road de-icing chemicals, and avalanche control.	First- or third-person. Magazine- or journal-like design (depending on topic and treatment).	650–1,250 words	Photos and other illustrations
Profile	Interviews, biographies, and career reflections of resource professionals. Attributed to author(s). Submit with brief list of key words and one- or two-sentence article summary (i.e., descriptive blurb).	Highlights people who have helped integrate science into park management (e.g., an influential researcher or resource manager, visionary science administrator, or retiring resource professional). Shares insights into science and management issues.	Popular science with conversational tone. First- or third-person. Magazine-like design.	Up to 1,500 words (extended content featured in Web site edition, as needed).	Photos
Remembrance/ Tribute	Occasional obituaries of a researcher or resource manager. May be attributed. Submit with brief list of key words and one- or two-sentence article summary (i.e., descriptive blurb).	Highlights contributions of an individual to field of expertise and science-based management of national parks.	May include personal stories and anecdotes. Third-person. Magazine-like design.	650–750 words	Photos
Science Notes	Condensed articles about science and applied science in national park units. Attributed to author(s). Submit with brief list of key words.	Brief reports and updates about original research and resource management projects, including preliminary findings. See "Science Feature" for other topic possibilities.	Third-person. Magazine-like design.	250–500 words each	Photos and other illustrations
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This Page Updated: 22 May, 2013