Beginning in 2015, Springer will publish a new online-only journal called ChemTexts -The Textbook Journal of Chemistry. With four issues a year and 250 pages per issue, ChemTexts will impart contemporary knowledge in all subdivisions of chemistry to students at an exceptionally high didactic level.
ChemTexts can be used by students for learning, by lecturers for teaching, or by researchers and professionals as a recap of essential knowledge. On the pedagogical level, the journal primarily supports bachelor and master programs, but material at higher level is also considered. Typically, each text consists of a self-consistent treatment of a topic which could be part of a textbook. Beyond informative illustrations, the texts may also include supplementary material such as animated presentations or videos.
"The idea first came to me when I observed students interacting with a textbook that I had recently published," said editor-in-chief Fritz Scholz from the University of Greifswald in Germany. "It was clear that they preferred to download individual chapters of the textbook via the internet, rather than carry the whole book around with them."
ChemTexts introduces a completely new concept in scientific publishing: the provision of texts for educational purposes that mirror the current state of knowledge. Unlike many textbooks, the chapters are carefully peer-reviewed to guarantee scientific correctness. Only those texts are published which represent genuine improvements over existing textbook material. If authors provide a translation of their English text in their native language, then Springer will also make that translation available as supplementary material.
"Knowing that most of the SpringerLink users are actually students who would benefit from this new journal, I was excited when Fritz Scholz approached me with the idea," said Springer publishing editor Steffen Pauly. "Springer's innovative spirit became evident through all the support that the ChemTexts proposal got from colleagues in other departments."
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