The IFA Research and Publication Committee has invited a number of experts to write an introduction to a topic with references to help explore the topic. The authors are strongly encouraged to cover important work from other researchers as well as their own.
Each note represents the opinion of the writer, and is not intended to represent the views of the IFA, its boards or its membership as a whole.
These short notes are not intended to be exhaustive reviews – although referral to existing recent reviews is welcome.
For each note, the typical format is to:
- state the problem,
- summarize current views and perspectives with references to recent publications), and
- provide an evaluative conclusion informed by the author’s opinion.
- Short. The goal is not to provide definitive answers, but to encourage the reader to read further (using the references provided and others).
- Referenced. References support the factual positions made in text, but much more critically, should make the reader curious to read the original papers.
- Accessible. Our aim is that references should be open-access, free full-text. IFA members can access JFD papers via their own accounts. For others, we encourage the use of Google Scholar, or writing directly to cited authors to explore access.
- On widely-varying topics. We have approached quite a few scientists, most of whom have promised their contributions.
Bert Bast, on behalf of the IFA Research and Publication Committee