Publishing in peer-reviewed journals. Fundamentals for new investigators.

According to statistics recently compiled by Aldrich et al. (l), in 1989 and in 1990 a total of 406 individuals received their PhD degrees in areas represented by the American Physiological Society. The majority of these individuals have started their careers in the academic, federal, or private sectors and have assumed professional responsibilities that include the communication of their scientific knowledge to students, staffs, colleagues, or superiors. Inherent with these responsibilities is an obligation to the physiology community to share this information to advance and to improve our understanding and awareness of physiological processes and mechanisms. The best way to fulfill this responsibility is to publish in scientific reviewed journals. Publishing in peerreviewed journals is not only altruistic for the advancement of physiology, it is essential for successful grantsmanship, peer recognition, academic or job promotions, prestigious invitations, and for the obtainment of full membership within APS. Unfortunately, few individuals who have recently been awarded their PhD degrees have also received information concerning the fundamentals of publishing in peer-reviewed journals. This article, which was a presenta-