Guidelines for Contributed Materials

Clinical Lab Products is a monthly magazine for clinical laboratory professionals, with a focus on providing product news and introductions as well as editorial features that showcase breakthrough technologies and help improve testing and diagnostic procedures.

CLP accepts relevant contributed editorial content from professionals in the clinical laboratory community, including academic and clinical researchers, practicing laboratorians, developers and manufacturers of in vitro diagnostics, suppliers of key products and services intended for clinical laboratory use, and related subject matter experts. To permit article proposals to be evaluated, prospective authors should provide the following information, which should not exceed two pages:

  • A one-paragraph prose abstract explaining what the article is about, why the topic is important to CLP readers, and what the takeaway messages of the article will be.
  • A top- and second-level outline, naming only the major sections and subsections of the paper in their proposed order.
  • A list of any sidebars, tables, or figures that may be included with the article.
  • Short bios and high-res photos of the named authors.

This information will permit CLP editors to assess and comment on the structure and content of the proposal, and to anticipate any issues that might arise with graphic elements or other source materials. When these materials have been reviewed, the editors will make recommendations for any changes in content or structure that might be necessary, and these may be discussed with the authors before they begin writing.

General parameters for articles in CLP include the following:

  • CLP feature articles are generally about 1,200-2,000 words in length (plus sidebars and graphics) but can range from 1,000 up to 3,000 words.
  • All photos should be saved at 300 dpi for a width of at least 3 inches.
  • Deadlines for contributed materials are assigned after a proposal has been reviewed and accepted. Different approaches to a topic may make it more or less suited to a particular issue of the magazine, and that factor may determine the necessary deadlines.
  • The CLP portfolio includes online channels for which contributed materials may also be accepted. Topics approaches and length requirements may differ from the requirements for print publication.

Prospective authors should e-mail article proposals to CLP chief editor Chris Wolski