Analytica Chimica Acta provides a forum for the rapid publication of original research, and critical reviews dealing with all aspects of fundamental and applied modern analytical science. The journal welcomes the submission of research papers which report studies concerning the development of new and significant analytical methodologies. In determining the suitability of submitted articles for publication, particular scrutiny will be placed on the degree of novelty and significance of the research and the extent to which it adds to existing knowledge in analytical chemistry.

Manuscripts detailing fundamental research on all aspects of analytical theory and methodology (including chemometric techniques), such as innovative instrumental, chemical and biological approaches, detectors and sensors, sample treatment methods and data treatment are especially encouraged. On the other hand, papers describing the use of routine analytical methods or straightforward extension of these methods to new sample matrices will normally not be published unless new developments are described which can be demonstrated to give very clear and quantifiable advantages over existing methods. In all submissions to the journal, authors must address the question of how their proposed methodology compares with previously reported methods.

It will normally be expected that where new analytical methodologies and developments are described these will be applied to a sample matrix of suitable analytical complexity. In such cases appropriate validation of the method should be provided, together with proper statistical treatment of data. Analytical performance characteristics of new methods should be given, including sensitivity, detection limits, accuracy, precision, and interferences.

Reviews are normally written by prior agreement of the editors. Potential authors are encouraged to discuss the subject matter of a proposed review with the review editor, and will be asked to provide a brief outline of the subject matter of the proposed review. Review articles should be sufficiently broad in scope to appeal to a wide cross-section of the journal's readership, but should be specific enough to permit discussion to be made at an appropriate depth. Basic methodology and principles should not be included in reviews, but suitable reference should be made to sources of this information. Above all, reviews should be critical rather than enumerative and should provide the reader with expert opinion regarding the relative merits of the various published approaches to the topic under review. Figures and Tables are encouraged in review articles. Tutorials describing the fundamental principles and practical operational details of a given analytical technique, sample processing approach or chemometric method are also welcome.