Submission Format
Send manuscripts via e-mail to manuscripts@asq.org. Type the manuscript, double-spaced, and allow at least 1-in. margins.
Your paper should contain the following items in the order shown:
1. Title page. This shows the title of the article, name(s) of the author(s), an address, telephone number and e-mail address for the contact author. Include acknowledgements, if desired. Note: Most suitable titles will be seven to ten words long, or less.
2. Abstract. This briefly (200 words) summarizes the paper’s main points, results/conclusions and significance.
3. Keywords. These are words that identify the main topics of the article. Like the title, they are used for indexing and referencing the article. Avoid using words that appear in the title. Alphabetize keywords.
4. Text. The body of the paper should be about 15-20 pages long. Begin with an introduction explaining the significance of work discussed. Use terminology that is intelligible to readers from different disciplines and industries. Define all technical terms. If acronyms cannot be avoided, introduce them first in parentheses following the term they abbreviate.
Do not use numbered notes, neither footnotes at the bottom of the page nor endnotes. Instead, place remarks and references in the text, within parentheses. For citations in the text, cite only the author’s last name and year of publication. For example: (Smith 1990).
5. Reference list. This consists only of all literature cited in the text. List entries alphabetically by author or, if anonymous, by title. Follow style guidelines in The Chicago Manual of Style, published by the University of Chicago Press .
Example: book reference
Forsha, H. I. 1992. The pursuit of quality through personal change. Milwaukee : ASQ Quality Press.
Example: article in a monthly journal
Welch, S. C. 1993. “Total quality management in the performing arts.” Quality Progress (January): 31-36.
Example: article in a quarterly journal
Huff, Lenard, Claes Fornell, and Eugene Anderson. 1996. “Quality and productivity: Contradictory and complementary.” Quality Management Journal 4, no. 1:2-39.
Example: part of book
Wilkinson, A. 1993. Managing human resources for quality. In Managing quality, 2nd ed., edited by B. G. Dale. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall.
Example: text reference, part of a book
(Wilkinson 1993, 120-135)
Example: proceeding from a professional meeting
Abbott, Robert A. 1995. “Connectivity—Empowering process owners under ISO 9000.” 1995 ASQC 49th annual quality congress proceedings. Milwaukee : American Society for Quality.
6. Tables and figures. Use figures and tables to summarize lengthy material: for example, lists, comparisons/contrasts, case study descriptions, methods (possibly in flowchart form), relational models and results.
Label all charts, diagrams and figures as “Figures” and number them consecutively (Figure 1, Figure 2 and so on). Number tables consecutively as well but independently of figures. Give tables and figures brief titles. Make sure figures and tables are clear and can be reproduced easily. You may use abbreviations and acronyms in figures and tables provided you have clearly defined them in the text.
Indicate where in the text tables and figures should appear. (“Insert Figure 1 about here.”) Do not incorporate tables and figures or other illustrative material in the text, and do not embed them in the text on the electronic disk. Place them at the end of the paper, one table or figure to a page.
7. Appendix. Place technical material in an appendix. This includes detailed descriptions of research methodology and analysis.
Once we have accepted a manuscript for publication, we will ask the author(s) to submit brief biographical information.
