2

I am trying to submit a manuscript to an Elsevier journal Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews (RSER) and found the author guidelines most confusing. For example, under author guidelines, it is said that

Use of word processing software

It is important that the file be saved in the native format of the word processor used. The text should be in single-column format. Keep the layout of the text as simple as possible. Most formatting codes will be removed and replaced on processing the article. In particular, do not use the word processor's options to justify text or to hyphenate words.

Then it recommends

to use the latest Elsevier article class to prepare your manuscript and BibTeX to generate your bibliography.

Now, there are two classes and templates available for Latex: cas-dc and cas-sc, one for the double column and one for the single column. Now I am confused,

(a) Which template to use for the submission? Single column cas-sc or double column cas-dc? The author instructions or the user guide for the templates does not guide when to use which template.

(b) The aforementioned instructions are for the source file? Latex source file is already in the single column format.

(c) What should be the layout of the output PDF? Single column or double column? The journal publishes article in the double column format!

(d) Should the PDF files have justified text or ragged right? Latex templates provided by Elsevier produce PDF files with justified text.

I will be thankful if someone can help me out with this. The confusing author guidelines can be found here.

Improve this question
12
  • 4
    I think its better to be written in single col format. But it is not that important, don't worry, If you select the wrong template, they tell you after submission. Usually it doesn't endanger the review process. You can even send email and ask them beforehand.
    – m123
    Commented May 18, 2021 at 19:16
  • 3
    @m123 I think that would be a fine answer.
    – henning no longer feeds AI
    Commented May 18, 2021 at 19:34
  • 10
    I think the two sections are best understood if you consider the first as instructions for authors not using LaTeX and the second for LaTeX users.
    – Bryan Krause ♦
    Commented May 18, 2021 at 20:19
  • 4
    At the stage of submission it usually doesn't matter. If your paper is accepted, they might ask you to reformat it (or do it themselves).
    – sleepy
    Commented May 18, 2021 at 20:24
  • 3
    If a specific publishing company's instructions are unclear I'd recommend contacting the company. Let them clear up their mess!
    – user2705196
    Commented May 18, 2021 at 20:47

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
5

Different fields have different conventions. I am a mathematician, and my advice reflects what I know about publishing conventions in that field. So please take this advice with a grain of salt.

This said: Echoing the comments of m123, sleepy, and Lewian, I would advise you to ignore Elsevier's guidelines entirely. Submit your document in any format which looks attractive, is normal for your field, and is convenient for you to prepare.

You can worry about their guidelines once your paper is accepted, and maybe not even then. My own opinion is that if Elsevier charges $4,034.00 for an annual subscription to this journal, then perhaps they can afford to employ staff to do their own formatting work.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .