ISSN 0124-8146
printed version

INSTRUCTIONS TO AUTHORS

• Scope and policy
• Form and preparation of manuscripts
• Sending of manuscripts

The publication only receives investigation work of type A scientific quality, defined by the Indice Bibliografico National Publindex.  It is considered that the published documents belong to the following typology:

1. Scientific and technological investigation article: Document that presents in a detailed manner, the original results of finished projects in investigation. The structure used contains the following paragraphs:

Types of articles that may be published in the magazine must have the following structure:
• Introduction:
• Materials and Methods
• Results
• Discussion of results
• Bibliographical references

2. Articles for pondering: This is a publication that presents completed investigative reports from an analytical, interpretative and critical point of view of the author about a specific subject appealing to original sources.

3. Articles for revision: This publication is the result of a completed investigation where the published and non published investigations are systematically analyzed and integrated to a specific field, science or technology, in order to inform of the latest advances and the development tendencies.  It is characterized for presenting a careful bibliographical revision of at least 50 references.

TITLE
It should be in Spanish, English and Portuguese.

AUTHOR (S)
The order in which the authors are mentioned, must reflect the magnitude and importance of the contribution of each individual.

INSTITUTION (S) and POST OFFICE BOX
this should be at the end of the first page.

ABSTRACT
this should be the format for the summary: Introduction, Methods, Results and Conclusion.

The summary must be maximum 150 words. The verbs used must be conjugated in past tense.

KEY WORDS
These are for ease of the entry (describers) in the indexing system and for retrieval of information.  Please use the support of thesaurus or this website www.bireme.br where you can find the describer DeC/MeSH and from there you can find the orientation for the definition of certain key words and also identify the translation of the search terminology.

The summary and the key words must be presented in Spanish, English and Portuguese.

The publication supports authors in the translation of summary into English and Portuguese.

INTRODUCTION
In preparing the introduction, we suggest a brief mention on the following aspects:

1. The problem or objective, indicating its origin, background and importance according to the magnitude of the dimensions, priority and vulnerability.  The existing knowledge on the subject, summarizing the results of previous investigations and their bibliographical references.
2. Definition of the main variables, terms and abbreviations.
3. Express the present time. It is a mistake not to have any bibliographic support.

MATERIALS AN METHODS
It details the way how the results were obtained in regards to the design, technique and materials used, so that the investigation may be replicated.

DON’T FORGET TO INCLUDE THESE IN THE MATERIALS

1. Technical specifications and exact amounts.
2. Generic name, chemical and commercial.
3. Origin, manufacturer’s name.
4. 4. Techniques for preparation.
5. In case the work is with animals, plants and microorganisms, identify the type, species and variety; special characteristics of age, sex genetic and physical condition.
6. In case of humans, identify the main characteristics of the population and the sample.

IN THE METHODS TRY

1. Express the type of design used.
2. Type of sampling used.
3. Mention the statistic techniques and the tools for gathering the information; report indicators of internal and external validity of the tests used, without going into demonstrations; when pertinent, express the bibliographic reference.
4. Mention the important aspects of the field work.
5. Use verbs in past tense.

FOR THE DESIGN OF THE STUDY
It is important to clarify the selection process for the subjects or objects and the assignment of subjects or objects to study groups (experimental, control, intervention, and treatment).  Must be specific about the mediation of the effect and the exposition.  The analysis methods must be supported and in accordance to the objectives of the study.

RESULTS
The objective of this part of the article is to present the true contribution of the study that was done. In this section, information pertinent to the objectives of the study is presented in a coherent way and also the statistical proofs are applied to the information that was gathered.

Don’t forget that you must mention all the relevant findings, including those against the hypothesis, and you should also include enough details to justify the conclusions.

PRESENTATION OF THE RESULTS
Here, the author (s) may:

1. Use charts whenever necessary, summarize the information.
2. When it relates to one or just a few pieces of data, describe them in text format.
3. The statistical figures, sketches and diagrams help in making results clear.
4. The information contained in the charts and sketches should not be repeated in words, only expressed in conclusions that are inferred by them.
5. The statistical data gathered with tests of significance, must be expressed with clear, simple and to the point interpretations and conclusions.
6. It is recommended that the verbs in this section be conjugated in the past tense.

REQUIREMENTS FOR CHARTS AND DIAGRAMS
The titles of the charts go on top of the charts and the titles of the diagrams are written in the lower part of these.

1. They must be self explanatory, simple and easy to comprehend.
2. Indicate the place, date and source of information.
3. Relative units of measure must be included (reasons, percentages, rates, indexes).

DISCUSSION
Its goal is to show the interpretations, generalizations, relations, conclusions and recommendations that the results indicate and the discrepancies with other findings from other investigations cited on the background and the theoretical setting.

SUGGESTIONS

1. Explain the principals, relations and generalizations that the results indicate.
2. Point out exceptions, lack of correlation and set out the boundaries of the unresolved aspects.
3. Show how the results and interpretations agree or disagree with the previously published works.
4. Formulate the conclusions in the clearest way possible.
5. Summarize the tests that support each conclusion.
6. Use the past tense for the conclusions and present tense for the bibliographical references.  The conclusions are part of the discussion of the results and allow the inference of one truth or another which are admitted, shown or supposed to be.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This section acknowledges the cooperation of people and institutions that materially helped the author in his investigation.

REFERENCES
The references allow the identification of original sources; they give solidity to the facts and opinions expressed by the author.  They also guide the reader to get more information.  To expand this information, it is suggested that you look up the Vancouver Norms.

REFERENCES FOR A MAGAZINE

1. Author (s) Last name.
2. Title of the article.
3. Name of the magazine.
4. Year of publication.
5. Volume number
6. Page (first and last)

REFERENCES FOR A BOOK

1. Author (s) or editor (s)
2. Title.
3. Edition (if it is not the first)
4. City, editorial’s headquarters.
5. Editorial.
6. Year of publication.

APPENDIXES OR ANEXES
In order to complete or illustrate the development of the subject, you must include information that due to its extension or configuration, it does not fit within the body of the article.

NOTE: The authors are subject the selection process and arbitration of the publication Investigaciones Andina.

On line submission to E mail:

investigaciones@funandi.edu.co