Submissions

Author Guidelines

VSA Papers

The VSA Papers is the authoritative forum for the publication of original peer-reviewed research furthering the advancement of the art and science of bowed stringed instruments. This statement is to be construed broadly, allowing topics including but not limited to acoustics, construction methodology, and history. In order to make the publication process as timely as possible, and to keep authors apprised of the status of their submissions, the articles are published online only, in the order in which the peer review process is completed. The online system facilitates the review process, record-keeping, and dissemination of the articles.

Article Requirements

Articles must be the original work of the authors, written in correct English. They must not have been published elsewhere, except for translations into English of work not restricted by copyright. Authors are required to consent to the VSA's copyright agreement. Funding supporting the research should be acknowledged.

The article should add to the existing body of work on the subject in a meaningful way. Presentation of the main ideas in an article should be clear and accessible to the general VSA reader. Articles assuming significant background knowledge must include sufficient references to help an interested reader work through the paper. References should be listed in the manner prescribed by the Chicago Manual of Style.

Articles may be submitted in any widely-used electronic format, but authors should be aware at the outset that the printer requires that the final version be in Microsoft Word format. Graphics should be clear, informative, and of sufficiently high resolution for printing. They should be referenced from the text where appropriate.

Review Process

Peer review serves to establish the credibility, novelty, and originality of the submitted work. The review process is supervised by the administrative editor (paperseditor@vsaweb.org), and should typically take no more than ten weeks, including a minor update made by the authors.

Conflict-of-Interest Policy

1. Introduction
       1.1. The purpose of this conflict of interest policy is to ensure the integrity, objectivity, and impartiality of the Violin Society of America Papers.
       1.2. The policy aims to identify and manage conflicts of interest that may arise in the process of manuscript submission, review, and publication.
   
   2. Definition of Conflict of Interest
       2.1. A conflict of interest arises when a participant in the publication process, including authors, reviewers, and editors, has financial, professional, or personal interests that could influence their actions or decisions in a manner that could compromise the integrity of the journal.
   
   3. Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest
       3.1. Authors are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could be perceived as influencing the content of their manuscript.
       3.2. Reviewers and editors must also disclose any conflicts of interest that may arise during the review process.
   
   4. Prohibited Conflicts of Interest
       4.1. Authors are prohibited from submitting articles about instruments and bows that are currently for sale by themselves or any entity with which they are affiliated.
       4.2. Authors are also prohibited from submitting articles that could create the appearance of commercial promotion or endorsement, including but not limited to articles featuring instruments and bows in which they have a financial interest or are promoting for commercial purposes, and instrument components or accessories for use by players or makers.
       4.3. Reviewers and editors must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts in which they have a direct or indirect financial interest, personal relationship, or any other conflict that could compromise their impartiality.
   
   5. Enforcement of the Policy
       5.1. The editorial board is responsible for enforcing this conflict of interest policy.
       5.2. Any potential conflicts of interest disclosed by authors, reviewers, or editors will be carefully reviewed and managed according to the guidelines outlined in this policy.
       5.3. In cases where a significant conflict of interest is identified that cannot be adequately managed, the manuscript may be rejected or retracted.
   
   6. Acknowledgment of Compliance
       6.1. Authors, reviewers, and editors are required to acknowledge their compliance with this conflict of interest policy during the submission, review, and editorial process.
       6.2. Failure to comply with this policy may result in sanctions, including but not limited to rejection of manuscripts, removal from the editorial board, or suspension of reviewing privileges.
   
   7. Review and Revision
       7.1. This conflict of interest policy will be reviewed regularly by the editorial board to ensure its effectiveness and relevance.
       7.2. Amendments or revisions to the policy will be communicated to all relevant stakeholders and implemented accordingly.
   
   8. Conclusion
       8.1. The editorial board is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct in the publication process.
       8.2. By adhering to this conflict of interest policy, the Violin Society of America Papers aims to maintain the trust and confidence of its readership and the broader academic community.