3. Outcomes / Publications

Since there is a wide variety of projects being carried out, the mode of dissemination of the work of the Task Group may vary considerably. The normal practice would be preparation of a report that would appear in Pure and Applied Chemistry (PAC). Such reports fall into two categories: Technical Reports and Recommendations. In the former case, a manuscript prepared by a Task Group will be reviewed by the Division Committee/Standing Committee that will establish a review procedure. The report will then be formally approved by the Division President or Chair of the Standing Committee. The manuscript will then be reviewed by ICTNS prior to publication. The purpose of this process is to ensure consistency in the use of recommended terminology, symbols, nomenclature, and in some cases, procedures. A discussion of the differences between reports and recommendations can be found in the IUPAC Handbook - see appendix for additional information on Publication Matters.

If the Task Group effort involves recommendations, then the procedure is set out formally in the IUPAC Handbook. The major difference between the review processes for technical reports and recommendations is that the latter require a review by a large group of outside experts (~15) and a public comment period. This is done to ensure that IUPAC Recommendations represent a consensus of the affected community of chemists.

Primary publication should be in Pure and Applied Chemistry. It is particularly important to maintain the IUPAC Journal as the repository for all Technical Reports and Recommendations on nomenclature, terminology, units, and symbols.

If the work of the Task Group involves the development of a critically evaluated database, the ownership of the database and who will maintain it after the project is completed should be clearly established at the beginning of the project.