Abstract
There's no doubt that peer reviewed scientific journals like JALA deliver valuable information and insight to readers who use what they read to benefit their personal and professional growth. The value quotient, however, does not end there. Those in academia have long lived with the motto “publish or perish.” They know that showcasing their achievements in a public forum is mission critical to their success as faculty members. This is because being published and, perhaps even more importantly, being cited often leads to continued or new funding for university programs, and can help translate their developments into practical applications. In turn, published reports assure those who provide funding that their investments are producing meaningful results.
Professionals in corporate environments find that variations on this theme are true for them as well. Employers enjoy the reflected glory that results from a demonstration of the quality of science underway at their companies. Prospective employees, collaborators, and investors discover the interests that they share with these companies. When employees take the initiative to turn their on-the-job experiences into published technical reports, they gain valuable exposure that can be leveraged at every level of the corporate hierarchy.
On a personal level, JALA authors often report the benefits of having their work recognized and published. Being published in JALA has had a direct positive impact on the personal advancement and success of many authors. It has also opened doors for employees seeking new positions, especially students making the transition from academic to industrial environments.
Being a JALA author, in particular, has other advantages. Each year at the LabAutomation conference, a special JALA VIP Reception is held to honor the professionals who authored the manuscripts that were published the year prior. Yes, it's a very nice gathering, some might even call it fun, but more importantly it creates an exclusive opportunity for authors, especially young professionals, to meet and network with other authors and seasoned veterans, including JALA reviewers, the JALA Editorial Board, journal staff, and other ALA VIPs.
The JALA peer review process has become quite well respected for assisting new authors in turning good papers into great papers. JALA accepts manuscripts on an ongoing basis in four main categories: original reports, technical briefs, technology reviews, and JALA tutorials. For more information on how you can have your work considered for publication in JALA, visit http://labautomation.org/jalainstructions. php, where you'll find author information and complete submission guidelines.
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