Author Guidelines for MRS Publisher

Thank you for your interest in submitting your research to the Materials Research Society (MRS). To ensure that your submission meets the high standards of our publications, please read and follow these author guidelines carefully. These instructions are designed to assist you in preparing and submitting your manuscript for consideration in one of our journals or proceedings.

1. Manuscript Preparation

Before submitting your manuscript, please ensure that your work adheres to the following formatting and content requirements:

General Formatting

• File Format: Submit your manuscript in Microsoft Word (.docx) format.
• Font: Use Times New Roman or similar, 12-point font for body text and 10-point for references.
• Spacing: Double-spaced throughout the document, including abstract, main text, and references.
• Margins: 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all sides.
• Sections: Clearly divide your manuscript into sections, such as Title, Abstract, Introduction, Methodology, Results, Discussion, Conclusions, and Acknowledgments.

Title and Abstract

• Title: Provide a concise, descriptive title that clearly reflects the main topic of the research.
• Abstract: Include a 150-250 word abstract summarizing the key findings and significance of the research. The abstract should be self-contained and should not reference figures, tables, or citations.

Keywords

• Provide 4–6 keywords that best describe the content and scope of your manuscript.

Figures and Tables

• Figures: Figures must be of high quality (at least 300 dpi) and in an editable format (e.g., EPS, TIFF, or PDF). Each figure should be numbered consecutively (Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.) and have a descriptive caption.
• Tables: Tables should be formatted in a clear and concise manner, with captions placed above the table.
• Ensure that all figures and tables are referenced in the text.

References

• Use the appropriate citation style for your manuscript (APA) as per the journal's preferences. Refer to the specific journal for guidance on referencing style.
• Number references consecutively in the order in which they appear in the text.
• Ensure all references are cited in the text and that the reference list is complete.

Equations

• Equations should be numbered consecutively with numbers in parentheses on the right-hand side (e.g., Eq. (1)).
• Use the standard equation editor in Word format equations clearly.

2. Submission Process

Online Submission

• All manuscripts should be submitted via the MRS submission portal (available on the MRS website). Ensure that all required fields are completed, including manuscript title, abstract, and author details.
• You will need to create an account on the submission portal if you do not already have one.

Author Contributions

• Please provide a short statement of author contributions, listing each author's specific role in the research and writing process (e.g., data collection, manuscript writing, data analysis).

Ethics and Compliance

• Authors must comply with ethical guidelines for research involving human or animal subjects. If applicable, please include a statement regarding ethical approval and consent.
• All research must adhere to MRS’s policies on plagiarism, data fabrication, and falsification.

3. Peer Review Process

• Manuscripts submitted to MRS publications undergo a peer review process. The editors will evaluate the content for originality, scientific merit, clarity, and overall impact. The review process typically takes several weeks, but it may take longer depending on reviewer availability.
• You may be asked to revise your manuscript based on reviewer comments before acceptance.

4. Copyright and Permissions

• Upon acceptance of your manuscript, you will be asked to sign a copyright transfer agreement. This agreement grants MRS the right to publish and distribute your article in electronic and print formats.
• If you have used third-party material (e.g., figures, tables, or substantial text excerpts), you are responsible for obtaining the necessary permissions and providing appropriate credit.

5. Types of Articles Accepted

MRS accepts the following types of manuscripts:

• Research Articles: Full-length papers reporting original research.
• Review Articles: Comprehensive reviews summarizing recent advances in a specific area of materials science.
• Letters: Brief communications reporting significant new findings or insights that warrant rapid dissemination.
• Proceedings Papers: Articles presented at MRS meetings and conferences, subject to the relevant conference proceedings guidelines.

6. Open Access and Publication Fees

• MRS offers an open access option for authors who wish to make their article freely available to the public.
• Authors opting for open access are required to pay an article processing charge (APC). Please refer to the specific journal’s website for the latest APC rates and payment information.

7. Revisions and Resubmissions

• Authors may be required to revise their manuscript in response to reviewer comments. Revised manuscripts should be resubmitted with a detailed response letter addressing the reviewers' concerns.
• Ensure that all revisions are made in the submitted manuscript, and track changes or mark up any new text added.

8. Publication Ethics

MRS adheres to the highest standards of publication ethics. As an author, you are expected to:

• Provide accurate and honest representation of data.
• Avoid plagiarism and self-plagiarism.
• Disclose any potential conflicts of interest.
• Acknowledge funding sources appropriately.