IEEE Technical Activities Board Operations Manual

IEEE Policy 6.1- AUTHORITY FOR IEEE PUBLICATION PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
IEEE publications exist by Board of Directors directive or as Publication Services and Products Board initiatives with Board of Directors approval.

The Board of Directors shall specify those publications to be received by every IEEE member. Such publications are the direct responsibility of the Publication Services and Products Board. Policies and procedures applying to these publications shall be specified in the IEEE Publications Services and Products Board Operations Manual.

All published products and services, in any form that originates from an IEEE organizational unit or bear the IEEE Master Brand, are ultimately the responsibility of the IEEE Publication Services and Products Board. These published products and services shall conform to the policies and procedures that shall be specified in the IEEE Publications Services and Products Board Operations Manual.

The major organizational units may introduce new publications following the approval policies and procedures which shall be specified in the IEEE Publications Services and Products Board Operations Manual.

Organizational units may specify additional policies and procedures which shall conform to and do not conflict with these policies.

Section 8.1.1- PSPB OpMan
All persons involved with any aspect of IEEE publications should be cognizant of the general policies that govern all IEEE publications and, particularly, to those that relate to their areas of responsibility.

A. The IEEE is a transnational organization. Special care should therefore be taken in using the word “national” in connection with IEEE activities. For example references to a national Headquarters, a national President, or a national Society President, are all potentially inappropriate.
B. Statements and opinions given in work published by the IEEE are the expression of the authors. Responsibility for the content of published papers rests upon the authors, not the IEEE.
C. No letter or article received unsigned shall be published. It is acceptable for letters or articles to carry the notation “Name withheld on request.”
D. No letter or article shall be published if it contains any pejorative ad hominem remarks or any other material deemed inappropriate or offensive.
E. Material of a nontechnical nature should conform with Section 8.1.3, Presentation of Nontechnical Material.
F. Material involving the support or nonsupport of candidates for public office is not permitted.
G. Unduly commercial material should also be avoided. For example “company profiles” and/or “industrial biographies” merit careful attention.

Revisions to Section 8.1.1 – General, as contained in this manual, require the review and approval of the IEEE Board of Directors, using the process in accordance with IEEE Bylaw I-300.4(5).

Section 1.3 - IEEE Publications Services and Products Board Operations Manual (PSPB OpMan)
1.3 - Objectives

Publications play a major role in implementing the purpose of the IEEE as defined in its constitution and in its vision and mission. Throughout the world, IEEE publications serve to advance the theory and practice of electrical, electronics, communications and computer engineering, as well as computer science and the allied branches of engineering and the related arts and sciences and technologies, and their applications for the benefit of IEEE members worldwide and for the general public.

To carry out these responsibilities, the IEEE shall:

A. Provide archival publications of lasting value to the profession. Archival publications contain material that has been appropriately evaluated and published for preservation as a record of the field.
B. Ensure that the material published by the IEEE is readily accessible and retrievable and that the needs of libraries and other important information services are met.
C. Present, in appropriate publications, information on matters of professional and social concern to the membership.
D. Enhance communication between the IEEE and its members, among its members, and with the public on matters of mutual interest and concern.
E. Develop and use new media and processes for information dissemination and exchange.
F. Develop and implement new services and products that enhance IEEE's ability to provide information to members and the public
G. Optimize the use of the technical and financial resources of the IEEE and its members in support of published information dissemination activities.
H. Ensure the widest possible dissemination of IEEE material consistent with maintaining the economic viability of IEEE's publication operations.

A. Periodicals with TRANSACTIONS, JOURNAL or LETTERS in the title are the primary means for publication of technical papers concerning original work in electrotechnology. These periodicals may also contain reviews and tutorial papers concerning such work. The primary purpose of these periodicals is to disclose, and provide a permanent archival record of original technical work that advances the state of the art or provides novel insights. Papers in these periodicals should be of lasting value to the profession as judged by the authors’ peers through a formal review process.
B. All papers that appear in TRANSACTIONS, JOURNAL or LETTER periodicals must list the author(s) and affiliation(s) and must undergo peer review according to the process set forth in Section 8.4.4. Papers are to be selected strictly on the basis of merit and appropriateness.
C. Editorials, instructions, copyright forms, lists of referees, announcements of special issues and other material concerning the publication may be included in these periodicals.
D. The following standards apply to all TRANSACTIONS, JOURNAL, and LETTER periodicals.

1. All of these periodicals shall have a uniform format and style and should be fully and uniformly edited, including quality graphics and text.
2. The front cover shall have a header containing the full name of the periodical, as well as the ISSN, volume and issue numbers.
3. Flexibility in the use of the area underneath the front cover header is allowed, such as placement of the table of contents or the use of appropriate photographs or graphical designs.
4. A cover spine, when used, shall contain the full name of the periodical, as well as volume and issue numbers.
5. Minimum Activity. These publications must be published periodically, and at a rate not less than quarterly.
6. Volume Numbering. The volume number shall increase successively by one each calendar year.
7. Indexing. Only the technical material will be indexed. Indexing will be left to the discretion of the indexing staff of the IEEE Publications department.
8. For internal consistency, the title of these periodicals will normally be IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON __________________, or IEEE JOURNAL OF _________________, or IEEE _________________ LETTERS.
9. All papers published in IEEE Transactions, journals, and letters shall have printed on the first page the date that the manuscript was initially received and the date on which the manuscript was received in finalized form from the authors for publication. These two dates shall serve to define the start and end of the review process. (See also Section 8.1.6 – Titling Protocols for IEEE Publications.)

Revisions to Section 8.2.3 – Transactions, Journals and Letters, as contained in this manual, require the review and approval of the IEEE Board of Directors, using the process in accordance with IEEE Bylaw I-300.4(5).

Section 8.2.4 - PSPB OpMan
8.2.4 - Magazines

A. IEEE Magazines are characterized by regular and continuing issues with significant technical content in addition to general news and regular columns. Magazines are made available to libraries, institutions and individuals on a subscription basis. They are so organized that material within them can be referenced.
B. Minimum Activity. The Magazine shall be published periodically, and at a rate not less than quarterly.
C. The technical content shall constitute a significant component of the Magazine and shall be refereed as described in Section 8.4.4 before publication.
D. Volume Numbering. The volume number shall increase successively by one each calendar year.
E. Stable Titles. The title of the Magazine and any later revisions shall be approved by the sponsoring IEEE Organizational Unit and PSPB. The title shall normally begin with "IEEE" and end with “Magazine.” If an exception is desired, a reason for it must accompany the title application to PSPB. Title changes are to be avoided unless clearly needed.
F. Indexing. Only the technical material will be indexed. Indexing will be left to the discretion of the indexing staff in the IEEE Publications Department, with the agreement of the Magazine editor. (See also Section 8.1.6 – Titling Protocols for IEEE Publications.)

Revisions to Section 8.2.4 – Magazines, as contained in this manual, require the review and approval of the IEEE Board of Directors, using the process in accordance with IEEE Bylaw I-300.4(5).

Section 8.2.5 - PSPB OpMan
8.2.5 Conference Publications

Papers presented at IEEE meetings sponsored wholly or in part by any IEEE Organizational Unit may be published in IEEE Conference Records or Proceedings. Prior permission to do so shall be obtained from the sponsoring IEEE Organizational Unit who shall be responsible for ensuring that appropriate IEEE copyright (see Section 8.1.4) is obtained for each paper published and that the publication is correctly titled (see Sections 8.1.5 and 8.1.6). Conference publications do not require peer review. However, it is strongly recommended that there be some form of review by the conference organizers to ensure that material published is appropriate.

Allegations of misconduct by authors of papers in IEEE conference proceedings shall be investigated by the publication’s editor, i.e., the person responsible for the conference publication, or by the Publication Officer of the IEEE Organizational Unit that sponsored the conference if the allegation is made after the publication of the conference proceedings. The procedures prescribed i

All inquiries regarding publication by an agency outside of IEEE of papers presented at any IEEE meeting shall be directed to the IEEE Intellectual Property Rights Manager, and no representative of a Section, Society, or any other IEEE Organizational Unit is authorized to grant such permission.

Revisions to Section 8.2.5 – Conference Publications, as contained in this manual, require the review and approval of the IEEE Board of Directors, using the process in accordance with IEEE Bylaw I-300.4(5).

Section 8.2.6 – PSPB OpMan
8.2.6 Newsletters

Newsletters are usually published by IEEE Organizational Units (Boards, Committees, Societies, Councils, Sections, and Chapters). Newsletters are not considered archival periodicals, although they may be archived by the Organizational Units. Newsletters are normally distributed only to members of the Organizational Unit as a member benefit, and are intended to communicate news and information deemed of interest to the members. Typical information includes: reports on Organizational-Unit activities, messages from officers and the editor, letters from the readers, calls for papers, news from chapters, meeting notices, conference reports, awards publications of interest to the readers.

Newsletters may also contain technical articles of general interest to the members. Documents for the purpose of informing members about a conference, meeting, special event, or any other items of interest shall not be titled a Newsletter. Such publications should be titled bulletin, announcement, news release, Organizational-Unit notice, or other descriptive term preceded by the Organizational-Unit name.

A. Quality Assurance. To assure quality, conformance with applicable postal regulations, and protection of IEEE copyrights, PSPB will periodically review each Newsletter. Each Newsletter editor will supply the first issue of each calendar year, to the IEEE Staff Executive - Publications.
B. Requirements. The following requirements are necessary conditions for publication of IEEE Organizational Unit Newsletters:

1. Newsletter Title. The title of an Organizational Unit Newsletter shall contain the "IEEE", and the "Organizational Unit name." The word "Newsletter" is suggested as part of the title, but is not mandatory. Identification of the full name of the IEEE must be within the first two pages of the newsletter and in any required postal statement.
2. Masthead. The following information shall be included on the Newsletter front cover page masthead:

a. The Newsletter title
b. IEEE Logo Master Brand (the IEEE Logo, followed by the letters "IEEE")
c. Name of Organizational Unit
d. Volume and/or issue number
e. Date of issue

3. Frequency of Publication. The Newsletters can be published at any frequency, but three (3) issues or more per year are recommended. However, if a United States second-class non-profit postal permit is used, it is a requirement of the U.S. Postal Service that the newsletter be published four (4) times within the calendar year.
4. U.S. Postal Permits. All requests for United States second-class postal permits must be made through Publishing Operations of the IEEE Publications department, which holds the main permit for IEEE publications. IEEE staff will handle the processing of the application. Applications for third-class bulk rate permits may be submitted directly to any local post office.
5. Pricing and Subscription. The Newsletter shall be supplied to each Organizational-Unit member at no additional charge. Free copies of the newsletter may be given to nonmembers at conferences, meetings, etc., to encourage them to join IEEE and/or the Organizational Unit. Society and Technical Council Newsletters may be made available for sale via subscription in order to accommodate the needs of libraries and non IEEE members. Subscriptions shall be limited to Newsletters that have intellectual and technical content of value to non IEEE members. The appropriateness of a Newsletter for subscription, and the nonmember subscription price shall be determined by the Society or Technical Council and approved by the TAB Periodicals Council and PSPB
6. Advertisements. Advertising is permitted in newsletters, including IEEE ads, when approved by the governing body of the Organizational Unit and subject to the provisions of IEEE Policy.
7. Copyright. Many Newsletters regularly publish original or reprinted technical articles which require copyright protection. The following guidelines shall be followed to protect the IEEE, its authors, and other publisher rights.

(a) Newsletters that do not contain technical articles/papers shall have the following statement printed on the front inside cover or appropriate credits section: “IEEE Information contained in this newsletter may be copied without permission provided that copies for direct commercial advantage are not made or distributed, and the title of the publication and its date appear on each copy.”
(b) Newsletters that provide at least one (1) technical paper or scholarly paper within an issue shall operate under the following procedures:

(1) Original technical material (article/paper) must be accompanied by a signed IEEE Copyright Form by the author. Copyright Forms can be obtained from the IEEE Intellectual Property Rights Office.
(2)Material reprinted from other publishers must be accompanied by a letter of permission granted by the original publisher (contact IEEE Copyrights and Permissions Office for a sample request letter and other assistance). Publisher’s credit line or acknowledgment must appear on the first page of the reprinted article.

Revisions to Section 8.2.6 – Newsletters, as contained in this manual, require the review and approval of the IEEE Board of Directors, using the process in accordance with IEEE Bylaw I-300.4(5).