efore Submission

1. Prepare a perfect cover.
   • The cover page should contain complete correspondence information about the submitting author: (i)address, (ii) telephone and fax numbers, and (iii) e-mail address. This enables the editorial office to contact you quickly when the need arises.
   • Include the current date (or month and year).
   • You may include a headnote or acknowledgement here.
   • Do not put the abstract on the cover page, but include it in the second page; otherwise, it will not reach the referees. Remember that most referees determine whether they like your paper or not during the first fifteen minutes once they start reading your paper.
   • Avoid typographical errors in the cover page. This is an absolute minimum courtesy. Of course, you have to check the spelling for the entire paper, and should do so every time you revise the paper. If the referee knows that the paper was prepared hastily, s/he is more likely to recommend rejection.

2. How to prepare the main body of the paper.
   • The editorial office wants to remove the cover page and send the remainder to the referees. Accordingly, the main body should not contain any hint or information anywhere that reveals the identity of the author(s).
   • The first page should contain the abstract, together with the title.
   • The text begins on the second page.

3. Do not exceed 30 pages of manuscript.
   • If this is not possible, at least limit the text to 20 pages.
   • We ask potential referees if they are willing to take the assingment in advance. They are very reluctant to take it if the paper is long. Remember that Nobel laureates are in the pool of RDE referees. If it exceeds 40 pages, it is almost impossible to find a referee.
   • Even if they take the assignment, referees are not likely to return their reports on long manuscripts within six weeks.
4. Should Appendix, not for publication, but for referees, be included?
   • If the total does not exceed 40 pages, you may.
   • If not, do not include it.

5. Avoid practices that reveal the identity of the author(s).
   • Any hints suggesting the identity of the author(s) should not be in endnotes/footnotes or anywhere else. They belong to the cover page.
   • Referees have returned the manuscripts without reading when this norm was not followed. Also bear in mind that it takes considerably more time to find a second (third) referee than the first (second) for your paper.
   • Authors who cite their own working papers, forthcoming papers, or other unpublished material may be asked to supply a new copy with those references cut out. This is a burden on our office. Undoubtedly, this would delay the process by a month or two, depending on how fast the office reacts and how soon you supply a new copy. Some authors who do it right the first time may receive an editorial decision during that period. Just check the section on the "Status of Manuscripts."
   • It is not necessary to change your referencing style now. Wait until the paper is accepted.
   • Of course, you can include any of your own references once the paper is accepted for publication.
   • If you must cite someone else's working paper, indicate that it is not by the author(s).
   • Referencing own published papers is OK, unless it is out of proportion.

6. Remove negative clues from the paper.
   • In the acknowledgement, remove any reference to when the paper was conceived or written.
   • Do not indicate how often the paper has been revised. You can include this information as a nonprinting comment for yourself.
   • In references, eliminate any references to papers that were "forthcoming" some time ago. This indicates that your paper is not current.
   • Cite your dissertations at your own risk. The referees may think you are inexperienced. If you are citing someone else's dissertation, indicate that it is not by the author(s).

7. If possible, print both sides of the paper (but not the final version).
   
   • Obviously, this would save postage at every stage of the editorial process.

8. Suspicious Mail

   The concern of Federal law enforcement officials for terrorist activities includes the possible use of letters and packages as a delivery vehicle. It is important for you to know the safeguards that are in place. Mail destined to the editorial office at Iowa State University is screened a number of times before final delivery. The U.S. Postal Service is monitoring mail as it flows through the postal stream, and mail received at Postal & Parcel Services is inspected for suspicious appearance. Any suspicious mail is returned to the U.S. Postal Service for further inspection.

   Here are some things to look for on letters and packages:

   1. No Return Address

   2. Insufficient postage or excessive postage

   3. Return address and postmark are not from the same area

   4. Wrapped in brown paper with twine (India, Pakistan, and other middle eastern countries)

   5. Grease stains or discoloration on paper or strange odors

   6. Restrictive markings such as Confidential, Personal, etc.

   7. Hand written or poorly typed addresses

   8. Incorrect titles

   9. Titles but no names

   10. Misspelling of common words

   11. Excessive weight

   12. Rigid envelope

   13. Lopsided or uneven envelope

   14. Protruding wires or tinfoil

   15. Excessive securing material such as masking tape, string, etc.