Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics

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1 Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics Volume 6, th Meeting Acoustical Society of America Portland, Oregon May 2009 Session 4aID: Interdisciplinary 4aID4. Preparing a submission to the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America on applied projects in architectural acoustics Lily Wang* *Corresponding author s address: Architectural Engineering Program, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 101A Peter Kiewit Institute, Omaha, NE , lwang4@unl.edu The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America (JASA) encourages authors to submit articles for publication that are based on more applied projects, such as those commonly found in the technical area of architectural acoustics. However, very few of this type have been published in the recent past. Suggestions on how such articles should be prepared and how they may meet the significance criterion will be given, from the viewpoint of a current JASA associate editor in architectural acoustics. Additionally a review of such articles that have been published in JASA within the past few decades will be provided. Published by the Acoustical Society of America through the American Institute of Physics 2009 Acoustical Society of America [DOI: / ] Received 11 Jun 2009; published 15 Jun 2009 Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics, Vol. 6, (2009) Page 1

2 Included in this paper are slides that were presented for this talk in Portland on May 21, The present author of this paper was appointed as an Associate Editor (AE) of the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America (JASA) in the area of Architectural Acoustics (AA) in January During this short tenure to date, the author has noted a lack of papers on applied projects in architectural acoustics, and so this presentation reviews some of the pertinent procedures in an effort to encourage authors to submit papers of this type to JASA. Typical annual JASA publication statistics ~700 papers published annually # in Architectural Acoustics (AA): 30 papers (4.3%) # of AA papers by non academic/researchers: 1 paper (or 3.3%) # of AA papers by US institutions: 4 papers (or 13%) 2 An informal review was done by the present author of the papers published in JASA during the two year period from May 2007 through May Typically JASA publishes 700 papers annually. In the past two years, approximately 30 of these annually (or 4.3%) were in the AA area. Among these 30 AA papers annually, only one (or 3.3%) was written by someone whose full-time job description does not involve research or academia, while only four (or 13 %) were conducted by persons at US institutions. # of AA papers categorized as Applied Acoustics : ZERO Most recent two Evaluation of a boss model and subtraction technique for predicting wideband scattering phenomena in room acoustics Natsiopoulos and Kleiner (May 2006) Flat walled multilayered anechoic linings: Optimization and application Xu et al (Nov 2005) 3 Furthermore out of the 30 AA papers annually, none were categorized as an applied acoustics paper in the past two years. From going further back in JASA, the author found that two of the more recent applied acoustics papers in AA were published by Natsioupoulos and Kleiner (2006), and Xu et al (2005). Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics, Vol. 6, (2009) Page 2

3 ~2000 papers presented annually # in AA sessions: ~200 papers (10%) TCAA regularly sponsors the most special sessions But much of the work presented is not truly being archived (nor consequently built upon?) Abstracts not detailed Online paper copying service not many authors post work Miami Meeting (Nov 2008): 19 out of 56 total submitted Portland Meeting (May 2009): 4 out of 44 total submitted 4 Let s compare this to a review of the papers presented annually at Acoustical Society of America (ASA) conferences. Roughly 2000 papers are presented annually, covering all technical areas in ASA; approximately 200 of these (or 10%) are in AA. As a matter of fact, the Technical Committee on Architectural Acoustics regularly sponsors the most special sessions at each ASA meeting. Much of this work, however, is not truly being archived and, one could argue, consequently not really being built upon then. Abstracts are available for all of the presentations made at ASA meetings, of course, but there often is not enough detail in the abstract to learn much about the topic. There is also an optional online paper copying service available; since it is optional, though, very few authors post their presentation or paper through this service. The present author found that 56 total papers were submitted for the Fall 2008 ASA conference in Miami, of which 19 were in AA. Meanwhile, for the current Spring 2009 ASA conference in Portland, only 44 papers had been submitted as of May 21, 2009 and only 4 of those were in AA. Even if authors do post their presentation materials, these do not have much longevity. Instead, only posted materials from the most recent two ASA meetings may be downloaded through this online paper copying service. So if one wishes to obtain information covered in a paper that was presented more than a year ago, the main recourse is to contact the authors directly to see if they still have some materials from that talk that they are willing to share. Lots presented Obviously we have a lot to share Not a lot published How can we remember it all? How can we disseminate the knowledge? How can we grow the field further? JASA Editorial Board is very interested in trying to change the current trends 5 Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics, Vol. 6, (2009) Page 3

4 Based on these numbers, the JASA Editorial Board perceives a certain problem. Obviously the ASA members in AA have a lot of information to share, and they do so at the national conferences. But very little of this material is officially published in our Journal (or others). If it is not published, how can we expect to remember or retain this information? How can the knowledge be disseminated to others so that we can advance the field of AA further? The JASA Editorial Board is interested in trying to change the current trends. Acousticians in academia publish or perish # of papers Quality of journal # of citations Practicing acousticians in industry have little motive to publish Limited time and limited funds How does it help business? Who will read it? 6 Next, let us address the issue of motivation; that is, what motivation do practicing acousticians in architectural acoustics industry have for publishing their work? Those in academia know well the mantra that they must publish or perish. Academics are often evaluated and promoted based on the number of peer-reviewed publications they publish, as well as the quality of the journal in which they are printed and the number of citations that each article receives. Acousticians in industry, though, have little motivation to publish. They already have limited time and funds, and the limited time and funds available are typically directed towards helping their livelihood in a more tangible way. It is not immediately evident that publishing in a peer-reviewed journal like JASA helps that livelihood, particularly when their clients or even their colleagues in the field are likely not reading JASA very often. More altruistic reasons exist Push the field of architectural acoustics Don t recycle old designs Pass on your knowledge to colleagues and the next generations (not just in your own firm) Ability to reference what has been done before WE ARE SUCH A GENEROUS GROUP! Yes, motivation may be small; but hopefully we can make process less difficult by educating potential contributors on procedures 7 Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics, Vol. 6, (2009) Page 4

5 The present AE would like to suggest that more altruistic reasons exist for why practicing architectural acousticians should consider publishing applied acoustics articles in JASA. Disseminating the work that one has done can help to push the field of architectural acoustics forward, so that the same designs (e.g. Musikvereinsaal?) are not simply recycled again and again. It provides a venue for sharing the knowledge you ve gained with your colleagues, particularly those outside of your company and with future generations of acousticians. These persons can reference the work that has been done before and build upon that. So the motivation may be small, but it is there. The remainder of this presentation seeks to clarify and facilitate the JASA submission and editorial process for potential contributors. Regular Research articles Report original research No length limits (page charges if more than 12) Applied Acoustics articles Principally interest persons engaged in the applications of acoustics Need not report original research, but should provide insight or describe novel procedures that have not been adequately discussed in the prior literature Case studies that provide examples that would help others deal with similar cases Quality of writing and readability are prime considerations 8 There are four main types of JASA manuscripts that may be of interest to practicing acousticians in AA who may submit work for publication in JASA. These four are summarized in a document called Information for contributors to the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America (JASA) from which some of the following text is taken (2008). The first type is called a regular research article. These should report on original research, and they generally have no page limits, although page charges are mandatory if the manuscript results in more than 12 printed pages in the Journal. An applied acoustics article is expected to interest principally persons who are engaged in the applications of acoustics. This work need not report original research, but it should provide insight or describe novel procedures that have not been adequately discussed in prior literature. Case studies are suitable, particularly when they provide examples that would help others deal with similar cases. Generally speaking, the quality of writing and readability are prime considerations when considering the publication of these articles. Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics, Vol. 6, (2009) Page 5

6 Letters to the Editor (a) Brief research or applied reports, (b) comments on previously published, or (c) a reply to (b) Length limit: everything < 4 printed pages Forums Raise acoustical concerns Express acoustical viewpoints Stimulate acoustical research and applications without necessarily including new findings Brief and not of highly technical nature All of these types are peer reviewed 9 Two other options that are possible vehicles for practicing architectural acousticians to use in disseminating their work are letters to the editor or forums. Letters to the editor are research or applied reports that are most importantly brief; everything in the letter including figures and references is expected to fit on less than 4 printed pages in the Journal. Forums are also expected to be brief, but they are not expected to be of a highly technical nature. They may raise acoustical concerns, express acoustical viewpoints, or stimulate acoustical research and applications without necessarily including new findings. Some recent forums that the present author recalls are ones by Summers on the use of the term auralization (2008), and another by Chapman entreating colleagues to always provide reference values for decibels (2000). All four types of manuscripts described above do generally go through the peer-review process. Read these 3 documents 1. Information for contributors to the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America (JASA) 2. Literate writing and collegial citing 3. Current criteria for selection of articles for publication Common things to watch out for: First paragraphs = a statement of the precise subject of the work must appear within the first two paragraphs Reasonable review of previous literature Conciseness and clarity And significance 10 Once you decide which type of manuscript is most pertinent to the topic on which you wish to write, the JASA Editorial Board strongly suggests that you review the three documents listed here: Information for contributors to the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America (JASA) (2008, but printed and updated frequently) Literate writing and collegial citing by Pierce (2000) Current criteria for selection of articles for publication by Pierce (1999) Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics, Vol. 6, (2009) Page 6

7 Although it may take some time to review, these documents are very helpful in assisting authors avoid typical pitfalls that slow down the review process or result in a rejected manuscript. These include not making the first paragraphs of the article state the precise subject of the paper, having shoddy reviews of previous literature, writing in a way that is not concise yet clear, and not making the significance of the work apparent, among others. Demonstrate how the project has added to the knowledge base; some examples: Innovative forms vineyard style halls Innovative use of materials link use of diffusion in the hall to measured parameters Innovative spaces experimental music spaces Associated noise control or vibration isolation solutions 11 The significance of the work in particular is difficult to define specifically for potential authors, but here are some examples that the present AE has considered in the case of applied acoustics work in AA. Authors could demonstrate how a particular built project has added to the knowledge base in terms of its innovative form (such as with vineyard style halls), innovative use of materials (such as linking a unique use of diffusion in a hall to measured objective parameters), innovative space usage (such as experimental music spaces), and/or any novel noise control or vibration isolation solutions that were applied. The manuscript should not cover what is done commonly in the built industry, but should clearly describe the innovation that was achieved and any pertinent data that help to quantify the effects of the innovation. Currently seek 2 3 reviews per manuscript For applied acoustics article, would aim to have applied acousticians as reviewers Reviewers make recommendations to Associate Editor, who then makes final decision 12 Once the manuscript has been submitted through the JASA Peer X-Press system, it is assigned to an Associate Editor (AE). If the present author is the one assigned, then she currently seeks to have 2 or 3 Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics, Vol. 6, (2009) Page 7

8 reviews for each manuscript. And if the article is clearly covering a topic of applied acoustics, then this AE would aim to have persons who also work in applied acoustics act as the reviewers. The reviewers are asked to make recommendations to the AE, typically within two months, and then the AE factors in their recommendations when making final decisions. Acoustical design of the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall, Japan Hidaka et al (Jan 2000) 15 page article 1 st presented at 1998 ASA/ICA Meeting Topics: Measurements Design Procedure Models Lab Tests Hall As Built Tuning Concert Opening Night Measured Parameters 13 A review of some recent applied acoustics AA papers that have been published in JASA follows. Hidaka et al wrote a 15 page article on their design of the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall in Japan (2000). Some of the materials were first presented at a joint meeting of the ASA and the International Congress on Acoustics (ICA) in 1998; this is certainly permissible. The topics covered in the JASA paper included: measurements, design procedure, scale model results, lab tests, the hall as built, results from the tuning concert, opening night, and measured parameters. The innovation here is one of form; the hall is a tentshaped concert hall. The distributed column sound system at Holy Cross Cathedral, Boston: the reconciliation of speech and music Klepper (Jan 1996) 9 page article Topics: Sound Systems Early to Reverberant Energy Ratio Tests 14 Another article that touches on an applied acoustics topic in AA is Klepper s article on the sound system at Holy Cross Cathedral in Boston (1996). Among the topics discussed are the sound systems that were used and quantitative data gathered on the early-to-reverberant energy ratio. Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics, Vol. 6, (2009) Page 8

9 Acoustical design of Benaroya Hall, Seattle Harris (December 2001) 4 page Letter to the Editor Topics: Diffusion Reverberation time Stage enclosure Organ Background noise 15 An example of a letter to the editor is Harris on the acoustical design of Benaroya Hall in Seattle (2001). Among the topics discussed in that brief report are how diffusion was incorporated in a novel manner, the resulting reverberation time, and some additional thoughts on the stage enclosure, organ, and background noise. Tent Shaped Concert Halls: Existing and Future Klepper (July 2008) 4 page Forum 16 A recent forum piece was published by Klepper on tent-shaped concert halls, expressing his belief that this general room shape has much promise for the design of acoustically sensitive spaces (2008). Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics, Vol. 6, (2009) Page 9

10 Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics (POMA) Online open access journal Articles correspond to ASA conference papers Reviewed for clarity, coherence, style, and non commercialism by a POMA Associate Editor (Ralph Muehleisen for AA) Papers posted online as soon as accepted Google Scholar able! 17 Another alternative to submitting a manuscript for peer-reviewed publication in JASA is to submit a paper that corresponds with one presented at an ASA conference through the Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics (POMA). POMA is an on-line open access journal, meaning that anyone in the world can download a POMA paper. The review process for POMA papers is quite minimal; generally they are reviewed for clarity, coherence, style, and non-commercialism by a POMA Associate Editor. Currently, the AE of POMA in Architectural Acoustics is Ralph Muehleisen. As soon as the POMA paper is accepted, it is posted on-line. Another benefit is that all POMA papers are currently searchable through the Google Scholar search engine. 7 POMA papers in AA so far, since beginning in 2007 Examples: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Schools 2009 acoustics prerequisite and credit evolution and future direction by Kurtz et al (2009) Acoustical tests of custom made, low cost bass absorptive treatment for small rooms by Pieleanu et al (2008) 18 Since its inception in 2007, there have been 7 POMA papers published in AA so far. Two examples are mentioned here: Kurtz et al (2009) and Pieleanu et al (2008). Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics, Vol. 6, (2009) Page 10

11 Encourage all architectural acousticians to publish applied acoustics articles in JASA (or POMA) Not the easiest process But will help to continue advancing the science in our field Approach Associate Editors with questions 19 In summary, the present author hopes that this presentation will encourage all practicing architectural acousticians to publish applied acoustics articles in JASA (or at least in POMA). It is not the easiest process; certainly it does take time and effort. But doing so will help to continue advancing the science in the AA field. If potential authors have any questions about submitting their applied acoustics work to JASA, they should feel free to contact the current Associate Editors in AA with any questions. REFERENCES Chapman, D. M. F. (2000) Decibels, SI units, and standards, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 108, 480. Harris, C.M. (2001) Acoustical design of Benaroya Hall, Seattle (L), J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 110, Hidaka, T., Beranek, L., Masuda, S., Nishihara, N., and Okano, T. (2000) Acoustical design of the Tokyo Opera City (TOC) concert hall, Japan, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 107, Information for contributors to the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, (2008) J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 123, i- xix. Klepper, D. L. (1996) The distributed column sound system at Holy Cross Cathedral, Boston, the reconciliation of speech and music, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 99, Klepper, D. L. (2008) Tent-shaped concert halls, existing and future, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 124, Kurtz, A. D., Bruck, D. C., Salter, C., and Lubman, D. (2009) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Schools acoustics prerequisite and credit - evolution and future direction, POMA 5, Natsiopoulos, G. and Kleiner, M. (2006) Evaluation of a boss model and subtraction technique for predicting wideband scattering phenomena in room acoustics, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 119, Pieleanu, I., Fullerton, J,. and Choiniere, M. (2008) Acoustical tests of custom-made, low-cost bass absorptive treatment for small rooms, POMA 4, Pierce, A. D. (2000) Literate writing and collegial citing, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 107, Pierce, A. D. (1999) Current criteria for selection of articles for publication, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 106, Summers, J. E. (2008) What exactly is meant by the term auralization? J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 124, 697. Xu, J., Buchholz, J. M., and Fricke, F. R. (2005) Flat-walled multilayered anechoic linings: Optimization and application, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 118, Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics, Vol. 6, (2009) Page 11